Prof. Zupanc Steps Down as Chair of Biology Department

Prof. Gunther Zupanc has stepped down as chair of the Department of Biology.

Under Prof. Zupanc’s leadership, the department has accomplished many significant milestones. He created the Undergraduate Research Laboratory; he helped establish the Andrew I. Schafer Co-op Research Fund for students interested in pursuing a career in medicine; and he redesigned and created new courses, such as Plant Biotechnology.  Prof. Zupanc was also instrumental in reforming the department’s graduate program; in acquiring a state-of-the-art confocal optical microscope; and in hiring Prof. James Monaghan, an assistant professor in the area of developmental biology.

The search for the next Department of Biology chair will commence this fall. For the coming year, Prof. Wendy Smith has graciously agreed to take on the responsibilities of interim chair. Prof. Smith has been with the biology department for many years, has significant leadership experience, and is well respected by faculty and staff within the department and the college.

The college would like to thank Prof. Zupanc for all of his hard work and dedication during his tenure as chair. Prof. Zupanc, an internationally recognized researcher in the area of regenerative biology, will continue to conduct valuable research in the Department of Biology, and we look forward to sharing news of his exciting breakthroughs.

College of Science