Dr. Tanea Reed is a Chemistry Professor and Chair of the Department of Chemistry and Forensic Science at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU). She was born in Tacoma, Washington, and grew up in a military family in Newport News, Virginia.
Dr. Reed developed a passion for science early in life. “I have always had a passion and deep interest in science since I was a little girl. I originally wanted to be a chemical engineer. After completing undergraduate research with my advisor, Dr. William Velander, I decided to switch my major to biochemistry,” she said. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from Virginia Tech and her Ph.D. in Biological Chemistry from the University of Kentucky (UK).
Dr. Reed joined the Department of Chemistry at EKU in 2008 as an assistant professor. She was encouraged to apply for the position by a former laboratory mate of hers at UK, who was then working at EKU. “She told me about the open position and how students were appreciative of the learning environment and how there would be room to grow at a place like Eastern.”
Indeed Dr. Reed’s career has blossomed at EKU, with her rising through the ranks from an assistant professor, associate professor, professor and becoming a department chair.
When asked what she likes most about EKU, she emphasized the small classroom settings where she “can get to know (her) students better and have more engaging classroom activities.” What she likes most about her job is “the mentoring aspect and being able to train students in research, which opens a whole new world for them. They are able to use classroom concepts to tackle real world issues such as traumatic brain injury, my research focus.”
Recently, Dr. Reed took a year-long sabbatical at Vanderbilt University and worked on a proteomics project with Dr. Rena Robinson. “I have collaborated with Dr. Robinson’s lab for over 10 years. Her lab has processed and analyzed my TBI samples and helped identify oxidatively modified proteins in our samples, providing new avenues of interest for treatment strategies.”
At Vanderbilt, she was able to work hands-on with Dr. Robinson’s research group members to fully process and run samples on their mass spectrometers and analyze data. “It was great to be a member of the lab and learn from others. As a biochemist/neuroscientist, it was a completely new experience for me. It was eye opening to complete the process from beginning to end to see exactly how long it takes to complete the work after it is shipped off and received by the lab. It truly gave me a deeper appreciation for the work they do,” Dr. Reed said.
Dr. Reed considers obtaining National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding for her research one of her greatest professional achievements. She was the second faculty member at EKU to do so. Another notable accomplishment is her spearheading the accreditation for EKU’s biochemistry degrees from the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, making EKU the first school in Kentucky to have that distinction.
Dr. Reed derives great job satisfaction from the success of her students. “Personally, my greatest joy is seeing my students succeed and reaching their goals. They enter as quiet freshmen having limited scientific training and leave as mature, scientifically curious and capable, young adults ready to conquer the world!”
Dr. Reed also stated that moving into the Science building in 2017 afforded her better opportunities to teach and do research with students in more modern facilities. “It is a true jewel in the EKU crown.”