Robert Boomsma

professor and chair of biology

on faculty since 1984

Phone: 708.293.4618
Fax: 708.385.5665
E-mail: bob.boomsma@trnty.edu  

Education

Ph.D., University of Illinois at the Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, 1981
B.A., Trinity Christian College, Palos Heights, Illinois, 1977

Professional and Personal Interests

“If your broken heart needs repair, I’m the man to see,” go the words to a song made popular in the 1970s by musician James Taylor. It would not be completely far-fetched to describe Bob Boomsma ’77, professor of biology, as a sort of repairman who also works with broken hearts. 

In the mid-2000s, he altered his research focus from the cell biology of the reproductive tract to his current work with bone marrow stem cells. Why the change of heart?

“My research has always been important to me. Until about 2004, that research focused on the cell biology of the reproductive tract, particularly the uterus and early stages of pregnancy. Since my sabbatical at that time, my research focus has shifted … to how bone marrow stem cells might be used to help repair hearts damaged by myocardial infarctions.”

As a member of Trinity’s faculty since 1984, Boomsma has risen through the ranks to become biology department chair. He has been fortunate to be able to combine his primary calling in teaching and his pursuit of research during the summer months with colleagues at the University of Illinois-Chicago and during the academic year with students.

Boomsma’s career choice became clear after he spent a year at the Worcester Foundation doing post-doctoral research. He was increasingly drawn to teaching and accepted a full-time faculty position at St. Xavier College (now University) in 1982. Then an opportunity became available to teach at Trinity two years later, and he has been at the College ever since.

“I teach here because I believe in the mission of the College to pursue the integration of faith with the discipline of biology. I also appreciate the small school atmosphere, which allows the formation of good relationships with other faculty, students, and staff.”

His philosophy of teaching is based on rigorous coursework that provides a framework upon which his students can continue to learn in the future. He offers students the kind of hands-on experience in the lab that focuses on investigation and discovery rather than just “cookbook exercises.”

“My goal is to get students to think and work independently, and to want to learn outside of the classroom.”

He invites students to participate in research projects that will excite them about science “because they are becoming a part of the process of discovering new information and they can see what science is really about.”

Boomsma appreciates teaching at Trinity because it offers a “true integration of faith and the disciplines.” He sees the College as a “truly caring place for faculty and students and a place where good relationships between [them] are formed.”

When not in the lab or teaching in the classroom, Boomsma enjoys spending time playing guitar, waterskiing, downhill and cross-country skiing, and biking. The Boomsma family lives in Elmhurst, Illinois, and attends Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church.

Courses Taught

• Cell and Molecular Biology
• Developmental Biology
• Human Anatomy and Physiology
• Mammalian Physiology

Professional Society Membership

• American Association for the Advancement of Science
• American Scientific Affiliation

Papers Published and/or Presented

Peer Reviewed Publications

• Detection of an insulin‑like growth factor binding protein in the implantation site of the cat.  Biol. Reprod. 51:392-399, 1994.
• Immunocytochemical localization of transforming growth factor-a, epidermal growth factor, and epidermal growth factor receptor in the cat endometrium and placenta. Histochemical Journal 29:495-504, 1997.
• Immunologic and molecular characterization of an estrogen-dependent glycoprotein in the rhesus (Macaca mullata) oviduct.  Biol. Reprod. 57:525-531, 1997.
• Immunocytochemical localization of epidermal growth factor-receptor in early embryos of the Japanese medaka fish (Oryzias latipes). The Histochemical Journal. 33(1): 37-42, 2001.
• Embryonic stem cells and a Reformed Christian worldview. Perspective on Science and Christian Faith. 56(1): 38-48, 2004.
• Intravenously injected mesenchymal stem cells home to viable myocardium after coronary occlusion and preserve systolic dysfunction without altering infarct size.  Int. J. Cardiol., 122:17-28, 2007.

Scientific Presentations

• Intravenous administration of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) following myocardial infarction prevents contractile dysfunction. Keystone Symposium, Molecular Biology of Cardiac Diseases and Regeneration, April 3-8, 2005.
• Marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) express cardiac specific protein in co-culture. Keystone Symposium, Molecular Biology of Diseases and Regeneration, April 3-8, 2005.
• Intravenously injected mesenchymal stem cells integrate with the heart after coronary artery occlusion. Keystone Symposium, Molecular Mechanisms of Cardiac Disease and Regeneration, February 19-24, 2006.
• Migration of mesenchymal stem cells under the influence of SDF-1a and MIP-1a. American Scientific Affiliation, July 2006.
• Mesenchymal stem cells secrete factors that inhibit apoptosis in H9c2 cardiac myoblasts. Keystone Symposium, Molecular Pathways in Cardiac Development and Disease, January 22-27, 2007.
• Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells secrete factors that exert anti-apoptotic and pro-apoptotic effects on H9c2 cardiac myoblasts. Keystone Symposium, Tumor Suppressors and Stem Cell Biology, February 24-29, 2008.

Faith/Science Presentations

• “Embryonic Stem Cell Research and a Reformed Christian Worldview,” UIUC, 2001.
•  “Embryonic Stem Cell Research: Hope or Harm,” UIUC, 2005.
• “Does My Faith Matter as a Working Scientist?” Faith and Science Symposium, Congregational Church of Batavia, 2005.
• “Stem Cells: One Christian’s Perspective,” Christian Educators Association Conference, South Bend, 2008.
• “Reformed Perspective on Creation and Evolution,” Elmhurst CRC (four weeks), 2009.