Biology Department Leader Tania Baker Resigns from Position

Biology Department Leader Tania Baker Resigns from Position

Alan D. Grossman Takes Over as Acting Head of MIT's Department of Biology

Alan D. Grossman, a distinguished faculty member at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), has been appointed as the acting head of the Department of Biology following the resignation of Tania Baker. The transition marks a significant development within the department, acknowledging Grossman's long-standing contribution to the institution.

Grossman, who joined MIT's Department of Biology in 1988, played a pivotal role in establishing the graduate program in microbiology at MIT in 2008. He served as the first director of the program until 2012, and his influence continues to be felt today as the program remains an interdepartmental, interdisciplinary endeavour with over 50 participating faculty members.

The graduate program in microbiology at MIT integrates educational resources across participating departments and creates a vibrant educational and research community for training students in studying microbial systems. Grossman's research focuses on how bacteria sense internal and external conditions, and control basic cellular processes, with a particular interest in the organism Bacillus subtilis.

Grossman's impressive academic journey began with a bachelor's degree in biochemistry from Brown University in 1979, followed by a PhD in molecular biology from the University of Wisconsin at Madison in 1984. He has been a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences since 2012, and was recently elected to the National Academy of Sciences.

Tania Baker, the E.C. Whitehead Professor of Biology, has been a part of the MIT faculty since 1992. Her research investigates how AAA+ unfoldases enzymes recognise and manipulate damaged cellular proteins. Baker's contributions to the Biology Department have been significant, earning her numerous honours, including election as a member of the National Academy of Sciences and a fellow to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Baker's tenure as head of the Department of Biology at MIT will conclude on May 31. During her time in this role, she has made critical contributions to the department, as acknowledged by Michael Sipser, the Barton L. Weller Professor of Mathematics. Baker's commitment to teaching has also been recognised, earning her a Margaret MacVicar Faculty Fellowship and a School of Science Teaching Prize for Excellence in Undergraduate Education.

Until a permanent department head can be appointed, Grossman, who is currently the Praecis Professor of Biology and associate department head of the Department of Biology, will lead the department. Baker's departure marks a new chapter for the Department of Biology at MIT, with Grossman stepping into a leadership role that reflects his long-standing commitment to the institution.

1. Grossman, as the acting head of MIT's Department of Biology, will continue to lead a department known for its robust teaching, research, and learning environments.
2. The Department of Biology at MIT, under Grossman's leadership, offers various graduate programs, including ones in microbiology, which integrate resources across participating departments.
3. The graduate program in microbiology at MIT, guided by Grossman's influence, fosters a vibrant community for students to learn about microbial systems and engage in research.
4. Grossman's research in microbiology focuses on understanding how bacteria sense and respond to internal and external conditions, contributing to the field of science.
5. A notable achievement in Grossman's academic career is his fellowship with the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and his recent election to the National Academy of Sciences.
6. Tania Baker, the former head of MIT's Department of Biology, was acknowledged for her significant contributions to the department, including her research on damaged cellular proteins and her dedication to undergraduate education.
7. The education Baker provided as the head of the Department of Biology was recognized with a Margaret MacVicar Faculty Fellowship and a School of Science Teaching Prize for Excellence in Undergraduate Education.
8. Baker's departure from the Department of Biology opens up opportunities for other faculty members, such as Grossman, to take on leadership roles and continue the department's legacy of education, research, and personal growth.
9. While graduate education is crucial, the Department of Biology at MIT also emphasizes health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, and mental-health, promoting a holistic education-and-self-development approach focused on students' personal growth.
10. During his tenure as the acting head of the Department of Biology, Grossman will collaborate with other faculty members, including those in departments like chemistry, engineering, and biology, to ensure that the department continues to thrive.
11. The Department of Biology at MIT, under Grossman's leadership, will continue to cultivate a diverse community of scholars and learners committed to advancing science, improving health, and promoting personal growth.

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