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Rochelle D. Schwartz-Bloom

Professor Emeritus of Pharmacology & Cancer Biology
Pharmacology & Cancer Biology
Duke Box 3813, Durham, NC 27710
B238 LSRC Building, Durham, NC 27710

Overview


The Schwartz-Bloom laboratory has completed 18 years of research investigating novel pharmacologic approaches to prevent neuronal death caused by cerebral ischemia associated with cardiac arrest and stroke. The group studied how GABA neurotransmission dysfunction contributes to the death of hippocampal neurons after ischemia in vivo or in vitro. Dr. Schwartz-Bloom’s research program continued in the area of science education, which she started in 1996.  Her science education research has included the development of novel science education curricular materials in the area of pharmacology to the K-12 and college community. One of the major programs that she developed is the Pharmacology Education Partnership (http://sites.duke.edu/thepepproject), a series of pharmacology- and drug abuse-related science education modules for high school biology and chemistry students. Testing of over 15,000 high school students has revealed that student performance in biology and chemistry improves when they use the pharmacology curriculum developed by her team.  All of Dr. Schwartz-Bloom's science education research activities are found on her website for Raising Interest in Science Education, or RISE  at http://sites.duke.edu/rise.  

With funds provided by the Duke Provost in 2007, Dr. Schwartz-Bloom also established the Duke Center for Science Education, an umbrella for all Duke-related activities in science education. The Center helps to coordinate Duke faculty and student interests in curriculum development, research, and outreach activities in science education for the K-16 grades.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Professor Emeritus of Pharmacology & Cancer Biology · 2019 - Present Pharmacology & Cancer Biology, Basic Science Departments
Faculty Network Member of the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences · 2011 - Present Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, University Institutes and Centers
Affiliate of the Duke Initiative for Science & Society · 2014 - Present Duke Science & Society, University Initiatives & Academic Support Units
Affiliate of the Center for Child and Family Policy · 2015 - Present Center for Child and Family Policy, Sanford School of Public Policy

In the News


Published November 24, 2015
Seven Faculty Named AAAS Fellows
Published March 5, 2014
Students DiVE into the Body to Learn about Addiction

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Recent Publications


Informing women about the risks of exposing babies to tobacco smoke: outreach and education efforts using Facebook "boost posts".

Journal Article Transl Behav Med · May 26, 2022 Maternal smoking is associated with a host of negative health outcomes, including an increased risk of children developing attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This study evaluated the efficacy of health messages disseminated through Facebook A ... Full text Link to item Cite

Development of an Online Experiment Platform for High School Biology.

Journal Article J Form Des Learn · June 2019 We developed a novel online platform, Rex (Real experiments) that immerses students in a scientific investigative process. Rex is a virtual web-based biological science experiment platform, hosted by real scientists, and uses actual lab experiments that ge ... Full text Link to item Cite

Science expectancy, value, and cost profiles and their proximal and distal relations to undergraduate science, technology, engineering, and math persistence.

Journal Article Sci Educ · March 2019 Despite efforts to attract and maintain diverse students in the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) pipeline, issues with attrition from undergraduate STEM majors persist. The aim of this study was to examine how undergraduate science students ... Full text Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants


Duke University Noyce Scholarship - Phase II

Inst. Training Prgm or CMECo Investigator · Awarded by National Science Foundation · 2013 - 2020

Pharmacological Sciences Training Program

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEParticipating Faculty Member · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 1975 - 2020

Undergraduate enrichment experiences to support biomedical careers: An investigation of underlying psychological mechanisms

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Michigan State University · 2018 - 2019

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Education, Training & Certifications


Georgetown University · 1983 Ph.D.