BIOTA Newsletter

Dear Friends,

There are many new developments in Biological Sciences for 2013 that I’m excited to tell you about. This year we introduce our new, electronic edition of BIOTA. The leap to this new format has taken over a year to complete. I hope the wait was worth it and that you find the new BIOTA informative and easy to navigate.

Over the last two years we’ve been busy with hiring new faculty and staff to support our programs. We are currently seeking an evolutionary biologist at the assistant professor level and have made an offer to an outstanding individual. The next issue of BIOTA will highlight the successful candidate. Another ongoing faculty search is for the department chair position. The department operated under the guidance of Professor John Byers as the interim chair for 2012, and since January 2013 I have had that position. We hope to have a new chair for the academic year starting in 2014. An important staff position we’ll add in 2013 is another financial assistant to help with increased grant activity!

I’m particularly encouraged by the financial contributions by donors to the department through Inspiring Futures. It’s gratifying to see the range of individuals engaged in this generous activity; alums, retired staff and faculty, and people from all over the country! These donations are so critical to our education mission, because these contributions are all channeled back into the students. We will be able to provide scholarship support to at least 20 top undergraduates in the department and recruiting scholarships for at least 16 outstanding new freshmen. In addition, we have the ability to competitively award up to 5 one-year fellowships for students to conduct their own research within a faculty laboratory. I extend my thanks and gratitude to all those who have helped over the years.

Sincerely,

Dr. James Nagler
Professor and Interim Chair