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Photo of Ellen S. Vitetta

Ellen S. Vitetta , Ph.D.

Professor, Distinguished Teaching Professor, Piper Professor, Director-Cancer Immunobiology Center, and Scheryle Simmons Patigian Distinguished Chair Immunology and Microbiology

UT Southwestern Medical Center

My goal in the classroom is to create a teaching-learning team that works in both directions, communicating and keeping stress low and humor high while at the same time constantly challenging ideas. It is important to teach the facts and concepts, but also work hard at connecting the dots into a big picture that will "stick" and lead to creative and analytical thinking. I urge my students to take time to celebrate the Eureka/"got it" moments in real time while learning to thrive on failure and move forward despite it.