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Alexis Waldschmidt, Ph.D.


Department of Natural Sciences
Biology

Education

Ph.D. in Biological Sciences (Genetics and Bioinformatics), University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA, 2026.
B.Sc. in Biological Science, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA, 2021.

Practice Areas

  • Molecular Genetics
  • Genomics and Bioinformatics
  • Computational Biology
  • Cellular Signaling and Molecular Biology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Biology Education and Pedagogical Research

Research Interests

Genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying sensory processing, physiology, and behaviors in Aedes aegypti.

Bioinformatics and computational approaches for investigating isoform-specific expression and function, molecular pathways, and complex biological phenotypes.

Molecular mechanisms of cellular signaling, including G protein-coupled pathways and downstream signal transduction.

Biology education research focused on student metacognition, assessment strategies, and evidence-based approaches to improving student learning.

Publications and Media Placements

Waldschmidt A., et al. "Novel Tissue-Specific Functions of a Phototransduction Protein in Aedes aegypti." Manuscript in preparation.

Waldschmidt A., et al. "Isoform-Specific Characterization of a Phototransduction Protein in Aedes aegypti." Manuscript in preparation.

Waldschmidt A., Anderson C., Gregory M., Dittmar A., Sutterer J., Teeters E., Whaley M., and O'Tousa J. "Essential Role for Aedes aegypti Phospholipase-C in Visual Processes." Manuscript in preparation.

Waldschmidt A., Adams S., Gager C., Rudenga B., Chaloner D., Robichaud J., Lewis K., and Whaley M. "From Self-Assessment to Improved Learning Strategies: Promoting Student Learning and Success Through Exam Wrappers in an Introductory Biology Course." ASM Conference for Undergraduate Educators, Seattle, WA, Nov. 2026. Accepted for presentation.

Miller S., Lewis K., Whaley M., and Waldschmidt A. "Helping Students Help Themselves: Examining the Impact of Assessment Wrappers in an Organic Chemistry Lecture Course and a Biology Lecture Course With Shared Student Enrollment." Biennial Conference on Chemical Education (BCCE), July 2026.

Waldschmidt A., Whaley M., Ferguson W., Quardokus K., Lewis K., Rudenga B., Chaloner D., Abbott K., and Ambrose A. "Using Exam Wrappers to Promote Student Metacognition in Introductory Biology." Midwest Conference on the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL), April 2025. https://learning.nd.edu/news/nd-learning-projects-well-represented-at-midwest-sotl-conference/

Waldschmidt A., Anderson C., Gregory M., Dineen B., Dittmar A., Nishimura C., Sutterer J., Cunniff H., Lohman C., Sullivan C., Teeters E., Whaley M., and O'Tousa J. "Aedes aegypti Phospholipase-C Mutant Lacks Light-evoked Behavioral Responses." American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH), Nov. 2022.