In lectures, life science professors draw an intricate diagram of the gel electrophoresis process, but at the Life Sciences Student Association’s Pictionary with Professors event, instructors drew the movie character Shrek.

The Oct. 29 event allowed students to connect with life science professors Dr. Donald Kohn, Megan McEvoy and Michael Scroggins outside of a classroom setting. Along with Pictionary – a game in which participants draw pictures and teams must compete to guess what is being drawn – the event featured snacks and a question-and-answer session.

Before the game of Pictionary began, the professors led a Q&A session where students asked questions on topics including career advice, life guidance and research.

LSSA Programming coordinator Rayana Ladd said she hoped her positive experience with prior LSSA events had the same impact on others as it did her. Ladd, a second-year physiological science student, added that events like Pictionary with Professors help provide students a sense of community and help to make professors less intimidating.

“You’re not in a tense environment – I mean, maybe Pictionary could be a little bit competitive, but it’s not a scary place to get to know someone like that you might hold in such high regard,” Ladd said. “I was definitely too scared to talk to my professors my fall freshman year, but then I ran into them in different events with LSSA, and now, I feel like we’re besties,” she said.

Ashley Huh, a fourth-year microbiology, immunology and molecular genetics student who attended the event, said the casual environment made her feel more connected to Kohn.

Huh, a member of Kohn’s lab, added that his personal stories – including the fact that Kohn did not initially get into medical school – shared during the Q&A session added to his approachability.

“(I had) no idea he didn’t get into med school the first time. Honestly to me, Dr. Kohn was this massive enigma who’s so smart and so successful,” Huh said. “When I first learned about him, I thought he was so cool this entire time, and it was cool to find out that he also had his trials and tribulations getting to where he is.”

Eva Seigneurbieux, a second-year microbiology, immunology and molecular genetics student, said the shift in environment allowed her to meet many other individuals of a similar major.

Bieux, also a member of Kohn’s lab, added that because she usually sees Kohn in an educational setting, the change of pace gave her an opportunity to have more casual conversations than those that typically occur in the lab.

McEvoy, a professor of microbiology, immunology and molecular genetics, said a majority of her time is spent with students – such as within the classroom or during office hours – typically requiring a more rigid structure than these events do. She added that the event served as a chance to show students that their professors are approachable and open to interacting with them.

“This is open-ended,” McEvoy said. “It can be about anything and that makes it easier to interact.”

Overall, the event allowed students and faculty to see each other in a new light.

“Maybe (professors are) more than just someone who grades your test or lectures you three times a week,” Ladd said.