Biologist Alan D. Grossman appointed as department head
Prominent Microbiologist Alan D. Grossman Appointed as Head of MIT's Department of Biology
Alan D. Grossman, a distinguished microbiologist at MIT, has been appointed as the new head of the Department of Biology, effective from August 1. Grossman's research primarily focuses on bacterial development, gene regulation, and cellular differentiation.
Grossman joined MIT's Department of Biology in 1988, following a postdoctoral fellowship. He has since made significant contributions to the field, particularly in the area of understanding the molecular control of bacterial development and sporulation. His research has also shed light on the function of proteins like MinD involved in bacterial cell division and development.
Throughout his career at MIT, Grossman has served in various roles, including director of the graduate program in microbiology from 2008 to 2012, associate department head from 2012 until June, and director of the biology graduate program for seven years. He has also been active in service, research, education, and outreach, serving on the graduate committees for biology, computational and systems biology, and microbiology.
Grossman's lab studies horizontal gene transfer, the primary means by which antibiotic resistance is spread among bacteria. His current research focuses on defining mechanisms regulating bacterial DNA replication and cellular responses to replication stress.
Prior to his appointment, Tania Baker, the E.C. Whitehead Professor of Biology, stepped down from the position of head of the Department of Biology. Michael Sipser, dean of the School of Science and the Barton L. Weller Professor of Mathematics, expressed support for Grossman's appointment.
The graduate program in microbiology, which has over 50 participating faculty members, was established under Grossman's leadership in 2008. Grossman's extensive experience, coupled with his passion for research and education, makes him an ideal choice to lead the Department of Biology at MIT.
Grossman received a BA in biochemistry from Brown University in 1979 and a PhD in molecular biology from the University of Wisconsin at Madison in 1984. He has been recognised for his pioneering contributions to bacterial developmental biology and has numerous published papers on regulatory networks and molecular mechanisms controlling bacterial life cycles. Grossman is a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the American Academy of Microbiology, and a member of the National Academy of Sciences.
References: [1] MIT News, 2021. [Link not provided]
- Grossman's long-standing career in engineering education extends beyond biology as he received a BA in biochemistry from Brown University.
- Under Grossman's leadership, numerous faculty members from various departments like chemistry and science have collaborated in the graduate program in microbiology.
- His extensive background in science education and self-development is evident in his service on the graduate committees for biology, computational and systems biology, and microbiology at MIT.
- Furthermore, Grossman's research work in bacterial cell division and development is not limited to biology education but also incorporates elements of chemistry and mental processes involved in protein function.
- The new head of MIT's Department of Biology, Grossman, will guide not only students but also the faculty members in various research endeavors, such as horizontal gene transfer and bacterial DNA replication.
- In reflecting on his appointment, Grossman emphasized the importance of integration between science, education, and outreach in preparing students for their future endeavors.
- Given his numerous accomplishments, including being a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the National Academy of Sciences, Grossman's guidance promises to contribute significantly to MIT's programs in science, education, and self-development.
