Biochemistry Professor Craig Streu ’04 is very, very excited about experiential learning–for a pretty incredible reason.

“We routinely initiate cutting-edge research ideas, although the better the idea, the more likely we are to eventually be run down and passed by industrial or graduate labs,” he said of his research group who refer to themselves as the ‘Streu Crew.’ Very early on I had to make peace with the idea that the chief outcome of our research is creative, inquisitive, and independent graduates, probably not new technologies.”

With the number of Streu Crew alumni approaching 100, it’s no surprise that they include doctors, pharmacists, and researchers. What is surprising is Streu’s claim that many of his former students aren’t in medicine or research careers – and that most of them joined his lab with no interest in a science-focused profession.

As an Albion alumnus, Streu understands that his lab will always be a mix of research geeks, future health care professionals, and students who just embrace the rigor and intensity of the experience and he’s fine with it.

“Students join the research lab because they think it’s fun and interesting, but they value the space to be creative and independent and may also like the idea of contributing to medicine—even if it’s not in the long-term plan,” he said. “What I value most about the work we do, and what seems to be most misunderstood about it, is that it is at its core a creative and team endeavor. We design molecules that no one has likely ever imagined and have certainly never been made before in the history of the world and create new pathways to make them–together.”

As much as Streu is devoted to his lab, he also relishes his classroom work, often focused on guest presenters and case studies. “Each course is a bit different, but it is always a delicate balance between specific skills they will be expected to know after Albion and the big picture ideas they’ll need to grow into leaders and informed citizens,” he explained.

As for his office — 3D-printed proteins and DNA models aside, the space might be hard to identify as belonging to a biochemist. “I have laser tag guns we bought in the pandemic to be together while social distancing, one very special Dr. Atom comic book signed by former research students, items from medical history and the history of Albion that I use in classes, and art from former students,” he said.

And 20 years after he graduated, Streu still shows his Briton pride with a huge Albion “A” wall.

“I’m a huge Albion fan,” he said. “Our students are amazing and talented in all sorts of ways, only some of which come through in the classroom. My teaching is heavily influenced by things I have learned from some amazing coaches, and as much fun as it is to teach and coach, sometimes I love to just be a fan.”

Streu is principal investigator for a $400,000 National Science Foundation grant recently awarded to Albion College to support further development of experiential-learning opportunities. He joined Albion’s faculty in 2015 and he can’t imagine doing anything else. He is currently the director of EPIIC Faculty Fellows and his work with undergraduates has been featured in the academic journal ASBMBToday and was the subject of an invited talk at the 2024 American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology’s National Meeting.