Announcements

Tracy Covey, College of Science 2023 Endowed Scholar Awardee

Congratulations to Tracy Covey, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry associate professor, for being recognized as the 2023 College of Science Endowed Scholar Awardee.

Covey has been an invaluable member of the College of Science for several years, during which time she has continued to raise the teaching, research, and service bars at Weber State University. She is currently working with the department chair, Brandon Burnett, to implement changes that are expected to increase inclusivity, access, and student success for our chemistry and biochemistry students and provide opportunities for growth in the department's core courses. Covey has been proactive and effective in providing alternative textbooks for students to reduce that cost. She offers a free collection of biochemical questions that students can practice, and she has implemented projects in place of traditional exams that allow for alternative ways to assess student learning.

Covey plans to investigate further Acyl peptide enzyme hydrolase (APEH) and its role as a biomarker in human saliva, generally, and in a clinical setting specifically,  elucidating modulators of APEH endopeptidase and exopeptidase activity. This research will offer undergraduate student researchers three different publication opportunities as the scientific findings could be significant. In addition, Covey will assist students in doing projects exploring computer-aided drug design applications. These research efforts could lead to local and national presentations and publications for these students once they have completed the Medicinal Chemistry course.

Covey's past research has led to multiple presentations at national conferences and several peer-reviewed research publications involving students and colleagues at Weber State and other institutions. As the primary investigator for the WEST scholars, NSF S-STEM funded program, she has had a tremendous impact on student success. Ultimately, all of the above, combined with Covey's service as the Assistant Director of the Office of Undergraduate Research, her role as Chair of the CRE attribute curriculum committee, and her commitment to her role as an academic advisor to multiple students, establishes her as one of our best.