Steve Ortmeier spent every Monday through Friday during his 31-year career as an educator teaching students. For the last 14 years, he also spent his summers and weekends participating in several projects at Sanford Research, a premier biomedical research facility in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Mr. Ortmeier sat down with us to talk about his curiosity-driven career and the value research added to his career.
What made you decide to spend your free time at Sanford Research?
“Research, of course, is a HUGE part of science: Getting “to know” natural phenomena better. During undergraduate and graduate school, I realized the importance of educators continuing with the processes of science by researching. It made sense to use my summers and school-year weekends to do this.”
During your career at Sanford Research, with what projects have you been involved?
“In my 13 years with Sanford Research, I’ve worked on a variety of projects: how the heart will attempt to heal and re-vascularize after a heart attack, how the body processes fats/lipids, the immune response as atherosclerosis events occur in blood vessels, how kidney cells move and traffic material from outside to inside, and, currently, working on potential gene therapies that may improve the lives of those with certain lysosomal and metabolic disorders.”
Does your work in a research lab influence the way you taught students and if so, how?
“I realized right away working on lab projects, that even the best-planned experiments…even those you think you already know the outcomes….can surprise you! Students in my class learn the data is not right or wrong, it’s the data you generated. It’s now your job as the scientist to explain that data.”
How did your teaching experience influence your work as a researcher?
“Presenting a complex, difficult idea to others by breaking it down into smaller, manageable parts is a story-telling skill honed in the classroom and used in the lab while discussing project results. Oh…and patience! I bring a lot of patience from the classroom [and the] students.”
Do you have any favorite memories or stories of doing research or how research played a role in your teaching?
“I had a “proud teacher” moment a couple of years ago. Using and reading primary literature found in scientific journals should be imperative in a science class. After reading a couple of journal articles on the topic of evolution and natural selection, a student composed a well-written letter to the editor published in The Argus Leader, in rebuttal to a previous letter writer…and this student referenced these articles and his science class.”
What is something you would like to tell students who are interested in research?
"Get out there and do it! Don’t be shy…call places, ask your parents, ask your teachers, ask your parents’ friends. The sooner you can get your hands and minds moving on a project or problem, the better you know if it’s for you."
Steve is currently working with the Weimer Lab at Sanford Research. The Weimer Lab focuses on understanding mechanisms of polarized signaling involved in development of the cerebral cortex. To learn more about their team's work, click HERE.