On the first day of spring break, Maha Zewail Foote was in her office on the third floor of the Fondren-Jones Science Hall writing a problem set for her biochemistry class and toying with the idea of writing up her weekly quiz. Not everyone's idea of a fun break, but Foote is not one to sit back and do nothing. As one of the newest members of the chemistry department, Foote has proved to be a valuable addition. In her first year of teaching at Southwestern, Foote managed to secure a $60,000 Merck/AAAS Grant.

The grant will be used to promote interdisciplinary research between the biology and chemistry departments. Receiving $20,000 per year for the next three years, Foote hopes the work done with the grant money will "allow the line between the biology and chemistry disciplines to blur. Yes, the biology department is on the second floor and chemistry is on the third. But this project is a great opportunity to discover the natural collaborations that exist between the two subjects."

Science has always been at the core of Foote's life. Her mother and father are both chemistry professors, and Foote recalls being mesmerized as early as kindergarten by the idea that everything is made of atoms and molecules.

While taking classes in chemistry, biology, and chemical engineering during her undergraduate studies at the California Institute of Technology, Foote had to decide in which subject she would major. She was advised by Linus Pauling, whom she met at an arranged dinner, to pursue studies in chemistry. Pauling is a Nobel Prize winner in chemistry and peace. "Pauling was a very prominent figure in my life. My parents and Pauling are my heroes and my inspiration." Foote went on to earn her Ph.D. in the biology/chemistry program at the University of Texas at Austin.

After teaching at St. Edward's University for a year and a half, Foote made her way to Southwestern. She teaches general chemistry, which is taken mostly by first-year students, as well as biochemistry I and II, taken by upperclass students. "It's a great position to be in. General chemistry contains such a hodgepodge of information, and it's up to me to generate a strong foundation to build on in later years. The transition between the first-year students and upperclass students is fascinating. I enjoy my work here tremendously."

Foote lives in Austin with her husband, Garritt, and their two children, Ramsey, 3, and Alexander, 1. When she's not teaching or hanging out with her family, Foote enjoys running and also speaks fondly of her commute from Austin to Georgetown. "That is my time. Just me in my car with the music up loud and a big cup of Starbucks. I love it!" May will mark the end of Foote's first year at Southwestern, and so far she has been very satisfied with her experience. "I just wish the days were longer!"