Dear Faculty, Students, and Staff,

Over the past year we have been working with faculty and administrators in our Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Physiology, and Biotechnology (MPPB), across the Division, and the University, planning for a strategic restructuring of the department. That restructuring, which will see the department officially close as of June 30, 2021, is the result of careful thought, multiple external reviews, and an exciting view of the future where new scientific and educational collaborations are fostered that pave the way for innovative research discoveries and exciting pedagogic experiences. 

MPPB faculty had the opportunity to consider new departmental homes which would best suit their scientific interests and provide the greatest potential for collaboration and growth. MPPB staff are joining central offices within the Division that align with the work they were doing in MPPB, including BioMed Research Administration, BioMed Human Resources, and the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. The new department assignments are below.

MPPB has long been home to multiple graduate programs, including our Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology (MPP) PhD program, Biotechnology PhD and master’s programs, and as a joint venture with the School of Engineering, our PhD and master’s programs in Biomedical Engineering (BME). These programs will continue to support our mission of providing outstanding training environments that foster the learning and development of our biomedical scientific scholars. The MPP PhD program will continue under the direction of Anita Zimmerman, PhD. The PhD program in biotechnology will be overseen by Beth Harrington, PhD, while the biotechnology master’s program will continue under the leadership of Jacquelyn Schell, PhD. Our PhD and master’s programs in BME will also continue to thrive under the direction of Kareen Coulombe, PhD, and Marissa Gray, PhD, respectively. 

MPPB has also been home to outstanding researchers, teachers, and mentors throughout its history. Our faculty has trained some of the best and brightest scientific minds and have made critical discoveries that have deepened our knowledge. I am very proud of all that has been accomplished. I would like to recognize and thank Professors Wayne Bowen and Anita Zimmerman for their long-standing service as chair and vice chair, respectively, of the department. 

As we look forward to this new organizational structure of the Program in Biology I ask that you take a moment to give your colleagues transferring into new departments a hearty and warm welcome! 

Sincerely,

Jack A. Elias, MD
Senior Vice President for Health Affairs
Dean of Medicine and Biological Sciences

New Faculty and Staff Departments