SUBJECT:

Appointment of Dean, Division of Biological Sciences

It gives us great pleasure to announce that following an extensive national search, Dr. William (Bill) McGinnis, a distinguished professor of cell and developmental biology at UC San Diego, has been appointed Dean of the Division of Biological Sciences, effective July 1, 2013. As Dean, he will hold the prestigious Richard C. Atkinson Chair in the Biological Sciences.

Dr. McGinnis, who served as the interim dean of the division during the past year as well as from 2000 to 2001, is a highly regarded research administrator and internationally renowned biologist whose discoveries have shaped our understanding of how genes regulate early embryonic development. A member of the UC San Diego faculty since 1995, Dr. McGinnis has played an integral role in helping to shape the Division of Biological Sciences as one of the world's most highly ranked research and education programs. In addition to his service as Interim Dean of the Division, he was Associate Dean of the former Division of Natural Sciences, Chair of the former Department of Biology, and Co-Chair of the Natural Sciences Working Group on Biology Reorganization to a Division in 1999-2000. His campus service includes previous membership on the Committee on Academic Personnel, Committee on Privilege and Tenure, and long-term service on the Biological Sciences Ph.D. Diversity Committee, borne of his personal commitment to the values of equity and diversity. He is dedicated to leading an inclusive Division that supports and develops the talents of a rich variety of individuals from different social, economic and cultural backgrounds.

Prior to joining the UC San Diego faculty, Dr. McGinnis served meritoriously in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War, attended San Jose State University on the GI Bill, receiving his BS degree in biology in 1978 and his Ph.D. in molecular biology from UC Berkeley in 1982. He was a Jane Coffin Childs postdoctoral fellow at the University of Basel in Switzerland and, from 1984 to 1995, was on the faculty of Yale University, where he held joint appointments as a professor of biology and a professor of molecular biophysics and biochemistry. Dr. McGinnis' numerous awards include the Vietnam Service Award, a Searle Scholar Award, a Presidential Young Investigator Award and a Dreyfuss Teacher/Scholar Award. He is an elected member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Dr. McGinnis' demonstrated experience as a strong administrative leader, mentor, scholar and researcher will be invaluable for the Division of Biological Sciences and the campus. We are delighted that Bill has accepted this important leadership position and ask that you join us in congratulating him on his new role.

Pradeep K. Khosla Chancellor Suresh Subramani Executive Vice Chancellor