--- title: Tony Jelsma date: 2022-02-02T16:21:00-06:00 author: Click Rain Admin canonical_url: "https://www.dordt.edu/people/tony-jelsma" section: People --- [ View Directory](https://www.dordt.edu/academics/faculty-information) ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/people/68a815a1b8183fd0ae1.jpg?mode=crop&pos=top-center&w=25&h=25&f=webp&c=6e2b90f8&v=6053db8921b0a49109c160c0f3bfd8b832b5c7efb43737f176a7f5cb8d7b687f) [Biology](https://www.dordt.edu/academics/faculty-information?department=biology) # Dr. Tony Jelsma Professor of Biology ![]() [712-722-6278](tel:712-722-6278) ![]() ![]() **Dr. Tony Jelsma** is professor of biology at Dordt University. “God’s creation is marvelous to explore, and I enjoy instilling that enthusiasm in my students,” he says. “I want them to keep asking questions.” He has engaged in many summer research projects over the years and, as a result, has hired many student researchers. One project involved collaborating with the University of Iowa’s College of Dentistry and Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, to [examine the role of the gene *memo1* in the development of zebrafish](https://digitalcollections.dordt.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1394&context=voice). His areas of interest include developmental biology, sex and gender, and origins; he recently published a paper on the study of gender from a Christian perspective. Additionally, Dr. Jelsma was recently given the Award for Noteworthy Scholarship and Service at Dordt. Dr. Jelsma participated in a postdoctoral fellowship in cancer research in England as well as a fellowship in neuroscience research in Montreal, Canada. Prior to teaching at Dordt, he taught at Crandall University. He enjoys playing hockey, cycling, and playing the organ. **Education** - Ph.D. in Biochemistry, McMaster University. - B.Sc. in Biochemistry, McMaster University. --- ## Articles by Tony Jelsma [ ![](https://d3evso2dxyohou.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/iat-limits-of-genetic-testing.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=56&h=33&f=webp&c=3a752c35&v=f0b41730c60591c054d64c37059526f2f96ee3e644d18b3bbb00082b4c6c65eb) Essays Feb 24, 2026 ### Limitations of Genetic Testing By Tony Jelsma Advances in genetic testing reveal risks we can measure but rarely control. How might we steward our well-being while surrendering what is beyond our control? Read More ](https://www.dordt.edu/in-all-things/limitations-of-genetic-testing)