Baker to head biology dept. Discusses department goals and passion for science

NEWS EDITOR

March 2, 2012

E.C. Whitehead Professor, Biology Graduate Program Co-Director, and Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Investigator Tania A. Baker has been named as the next head of the department of biology. She will assume the position on April 1, succeeding Chris A. Kaiser PhD 88, who was selected to run the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) in October. Baker was the associate department head for biology from 1999 to 2004.

Professor Baker, like her predecessor Chris Kaiser, is a former MacVicar Faculty Fellow who will, I am sure, maintain the departments standing as a premier educator of biologists, and as a world-leading department in biological research, said School of Science Dean Marc A. Kastner in a statement through the News Office. I am thrilled that she has agreed to take on the leadership of the department at a time when biology plays a bigger role than ever at the Institute.

The Tech caught up with Baker in her office to talk about her goals for the biology department and her career.

The Tech: How do you feel about becoming the new biology department head?

Tania Baker: I am honored to have the confidence of my colleagues and the dean, and I feel very fortunate that my career has been supported by some great department heads in the past. Ive been here almost 20 years, and over that time, Ive really been helped by the great environment created by previous department heads; I hope I can give back some effort to the department that will help the careers of others.

TT: What are some of your goals as department head?

TB: The department is strong and vibrant, so I think we want to continue to be a cutting edge institution for biological research, as well as a great place for teaching and learning at the undergraduate and graduate level.

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Baker to head biology dept. Discusses department goals and passion for science