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September
13, 2004 Vol. 75, no. 3F
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BioE professor Dan Fletcher has been teaching
at Berkeley since 2002. He teaches a class in BioE 164, “Optics
and Microscopy.” The course is designed to introduce students
to the fundamentals of optics and modern microscopy techniques
used in the study of cells and molecules. His current work focuses
on micromachined lenses for high-resolution optical imaging. At
Berkeley, Prof. Fletcher is interested in developing optical,
mechanical, and fluidic tools to study the mechanics of cells
and molecules. He is currently working on the measurement of forces
generated by proteins involved in cell motility. Students interested
in independent study on force microscopy, molecular motors, and
cell mechanics can contact him at fletch@uclink.berkeley.edu.
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Professor
Minute with BioE professor Dan Fletcher
What do you do to forget
about engineering?
Travel. I love to explore new countries and experience different cultures.
Sipping coffee at a small cafe in southern Chile or hiking through barren
mountains in northern Pakistan provides perfect moments for reflecting
on life’s rich pageant.
What is your personal recipe for success?
Make sure your work has meaning and purpose for you.
Share your interests and excitement with others and never give up in
the face of disappointment.
How can a student get through your hardest class?
Keep up with the class, pay attention, and force yourself to find your
own examples of how the topics covered in class apply to the world outside
of class. While that is not always easy, the exercise itself helps solidify
concepts in your mind.
Why did you become a professor?
So that I could be part of a community of people – students, researchers,
staff, faculty – that values asking and answering questions.
If you would like us to feature
your favorite professor, please
e-mail his or her name to engnews@coe.berkeley.edu.
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