My name is Dr. Lori Shrode.  My goal in the science classroom is to share my love for science with my students and to instill in them a desire to explore, discover, and gain knowledge about the world around them. 

My journey began as a scout walking cotton fields here in North Alabama.  After graduating from Decatur High School, I attended Auburn University where I earned a B.S. in Molecular Biology.  It was here I found a love for bioengineering.  After graduation, I was fortunate to obtain a one-year internship with Monsanto’s plant biotechnology group in St. Louis, Missouri.  This research led me to Texas A&M University where I obtained a PhD in Genetics studying asexual development in Neurospora crassa.  The thrill of discovering the unknown pushed me to grow as a scientist, publish in peer reviewed journals, and present at international conferences.  One of the highlights of my graduate experience was attending conferences and meeting some of the pioneers in genetics including Frances Crick, Kary Mullis, and Francis Collins.

In 2015, I decided to pursue a teaching certificate so I can share my love for science with the next generation.  The glow on a student’s face when they learn something new or realize that science is awesome rivals the feeling I would get discovering something new in the laboratory.

When I am not in the classroom, I enjoy spending time with my husband, our children, and our English lab, Hadley.  I spend my time traveling, going to the theater, reading, and sports (especially Auburn football).  My favorite trip (so far) was a trip to Peru where I saw pink river dolphins in the Amazon River, terrace farming in the Sacred Valley, and hiked through the ruins of Machu Picchu.  If you share my love for travel and science, please consider joining me on one of the summer trips I lead with EF tours.  Follow the link on this page to see the trips we have planned.

I look forward to a great year at Liberty Middle School.  If there is anything I can do to make your time here a little easier, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Lori Shrode

lbshrode@madisoncity.k12.al.us