Erika Abel, Ph.D. Joins Honors Program Faculty

The Honors College is pleased to announce the appointment of Erika Abel, Ph.D., as clinical professor of health sciences in the Honors Program. Abel returns to the College after serving at Baylor College of Medicine.

“We’re thrilled to welcome back Erika Abel, who has in the past been a key member of our faculty,” Honors Program Director Elizabeth Corey, Ph.D., said. “Erika’s contributions to our science offerings are vital to the program, and she has endless energy for students. She is dedicated to promoting the flourishing of all science and pre-health students in the Honors College.”

Before her time as a researcher and professor, Abel earned her undergraduate degree in Biomedical Science from Texas A&M University and her Ph.D. in toxicology from the School of Public Health and Community Medicine at the University of Washington.

“I’m so excited to return,” Abel said. “The thoughtful and talented students, faculty, and staff drew me back to the Honors College. Having meaningful engagement with students and colleagues who care deeply and think creatively about the world around them is a great privilege.” 

Abel steps back into her role, having a long history of teaching and mentoring students. In addition to teaching, Abel has served on numerous task forces and committees and received multiple awards for her work with and on behalf of undergraduates. Highlights include service on Baylor’s Cherry Award for Great Teaching Committee and the Prehealth Programs Advisory Committee, and recognitions include Baylor College of Medicine’s Professional Educator Appreciation and Recognition Award, Baylor’s Elizabeth Vardaman Award for Excellence in Mentoring Undergraduates, and the National Academy of Sciences Education Fellow in the Life Sciences.

Undergirding Abel’s excellence as a teacher and mentor is a record of research supported by grants and many peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and presentations. Douglas Henry, Ph.D., Dean of the Honors College, reflected, “Dr. Abel’s inquisitive spirit reflects her intellectual humility and wonder, joined to hard questions about human suffering. As a cancer researcher she’s seen both the biological and existential dimensions of this disease. Her hard-won insights motivate our talented honor students to seek answers to their own questions about science, disease, and healing—and human meaning and God’s providence.”

Students benefit from Abel’s holistic approach to teaching and mentoring. 

“The best part about a mentor-mentee relationship is bearing witness to the mentee’s growth into their professional identity,” she said. “At times, students have difficulty seeing their own story; they struggle to see their experiences, interests, and viewpoints as unique and valuable. We as faculty mentors have the opportunity to hold up a mirror to allow the mentee to see what God has created.”

Away from campus, Dr. Abel and her husband are enjoying one last year before their nest is empty. Their oldest daughter is a senior at Pomona College in Claremont, CA pursuing majors in Applied Mathematics and Computer Science, and their youngest daughter is finishing Temple High School through dual credit courses at Temple College. She enjoys her cherished community of friends at Covenant Lutheran Church where her husband is the pastor.

Join us in welcoming Dr. Abel back to the Honors College!