Katie Staab, Ph.D.

A biologist who studies animal anatomy and physiology to better understand how structure affects function.

Exacting | Investigative | Compassionate: As a first-generation college student, Katie Staab can relate to the challenges of adjusting to life on campus. She prioritizes training students how to learn – not just what to learn – with the hope that they leave the Hill destined for a lifetime of learning. Staab has used her curiosity for learning to drive all that she does, including her teaching. She teaches Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy, Animal Physiology, Animals as Machines, and Principles of Biology.
What’s your background? Where were you before McDaniel and when did you start here?: I grew up in nearby York, Pennsylvania. My parents never went to college, but I loved school and learning, so it was a no-brainer for me, even though it was difficult to navigate financial aid and the many other steps pursuing higher education. I was so naïve that I wrote in my first-year seminar journal that I didn’t know why all the teachers at college were doctors … and now I am one! I started at McDaniel in 2013 after completing a Ph.D. and postdoctoral fellowship at The George Washington University in Washington, D.C.
What have you enjoyed most during your time at McDaniel?: I enjoy working with students because I learn so much from them. I love getting to know students, hearing about their backgrounds, experiences, and cultures, and learning what matters to them most. I delight in learning about students’ goals and watching them mature and progress to become the best versions of themselves. Some of my favorite moments have been in the anatomy lab, dissecting and revealing structures with students, and giving them a taste of what their first year of medical school will be like in a cadaver lab. I’ve found that our students can rise to the high expectations when they know they have a mentor who is confident in their potential. Watching them reach that potential is one of my greatest joys.
What do you hope students take away from your courses?: I hope that students understand that I care less about what they learn and care more about how they learn. Knowledge accumulates! When we realize that the “feeling of being stupid” means that there is room to learn something new and when we can let go of our ego (feeling bad about not knowing something), then we can be open to the learning. There is wonder and beauty in natural truths, and these are everywhere if we notice and get curious about them. I hope that students catch my enthusiasm for lifelong learning and that they can find joy in their own pursuits of knowledge.

Directory Profile for Katie Staab

Katie Staab, Ph.D.

About Prof. Staab