Dr. Arlene Hoogewerf

Biography

Dr. Hoogewerf is an accomplished biologist, educator, and academic leader with more than three decades of experience in higher education, research, and program development. She currently serves as Professor of Biology and Dean of the School of STEM at Calvin University, where she has held successive leadership appointments. 

Dr. Hoogewerf earned her Ph.D. in Nutritional Biochemistry from Cornell University and completed postdoctoral research at The Upjohn Company and the Glaxo Institute for Molecular Biology. There, she advanced discovery efforts in chemokine biology, angiogenesis, and infectious disease, contributing foundational studies in molecular immunology. Her research on chemokines, chemokine receptors, and glycosaminoglycan interactions helped elucidate mechanisms of immune signaling, receptor binding, and inflammation. These findings remain widely cited in biochemistry, immunology, and molecular cell biology.

Throughout her academic career, Dr. Hoogewerf’s scholarship has spanned microbiology, biofilm biology, bacterial stress responses, and public health. Her NIH- and NSF-supported research includes investigations on Staphylococcus aureus biofilms and inflammatory molecules, as well as public health studies addressing refractive error and access to eye care in underserved communities. A strong advocate for experiential learning, she has also contributed to national STEM education initiatives, including multi-institutional research on course-based undergraduate research experiences. Her work highlights the value of research-rich curricula and expanding equitable access to hands-on scientific training.

At Calvin University, Dr. Hoogewerf has taught courses in cell biology, genetics, microbiology, nutrition, and public health. She has mentored numerous undergraduate researchers and supported interdisciplinary initiatives that strengthen STEM pathways. Bridging molecular science, public health, and STEM education, Dr. Hoogewerf is recognized for advancing biological understanding, promoting preventive health, and fostering environments where students and faculty thrive as researchers and leaders.