AMES, Iowa -- Jo Anne Powell-Coffman is the new chair of the Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology at Iowa State University.
Powell-Coffman has served as interim chair of the department since July 2011. She succeeded Martin Spalding, who became associate dean for research in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
The Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology is coadministered by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
"Dr. Powell-Coffman has proven to be an excellent leader of the Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology," said Liberal Arts and Sciences Dean Beate Schmittmann. "She also has a great reputation as a teacher and researcher, and is well-suited to continue this role as chair."
"Dr. Powell-Coffman is a strong, thoughtful leader and the department will continue to excel with her guidance," said Wendy Wintersteen, dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
Powell-Coffman joined the faculty at Iowa State in 1998. She served as the department's ADVANCE Professor from 2007 to 2009. ADVANCE aims to increase the participation and advancement of women in academic science and engineering careers. She also chaired the interdepartmental genetics graduate program from 2010 to 2011.
She earned a Ph.D. in biology from the University of California-San Diego. Her research concentrates on using a genetic model system, called the nematode C. elegans, to study how animals sense and adapt to their environments.
Jonathan Wendel, Distinguished Professor and chair of the Department of Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology, chaired the search committee. "I feel so fortunate that we were able to attract such a great colleague and scholar to this important leadership position," he said.
The Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology is dedicated to biological discovery and excellence in undergraduate and graduate education, with research and teaching missions encompassing fundamental cellular and subcellular processes. The department is a major participant, along with other departments, in offering ISU's undergraduate majors in biology, genetics and bioinformatics and computational biology. The department also is a major contributor to several interdisciplinary graduate programs, including bioinformatics and computational biology, genetics, microbiology, plant biology, toxicology and others.
Powell-Coffman's appointment was effective in January.
Powell-Coffman named chair of Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology at Iowa State
March 25, 2013