Jeff McKinnon Appointed as the New Department of Biology Chair

Dr. Jeff McKinnon was recently appointed as the new chair in the Department of Biology. His main objective in this new position is to "bring my department's resources, including our building, and reputation up to the same high level as our performance." His specific research goals for the Department of Biology entail building on the already strong research areas of developmental biology and biotechnology, biodiversity, in both evolutionary and ecological contexts, and coastal ecology.

McKinnon believes the strengthening of the Department's Masters and Doctoral programs will contribute to the growth within these research areas. To achieve this he is working with the Department of Biology's graduate director and other faculty to "develop a truly vibrant graduate program with frequent seminars and workshops and a high level of intellectual exchange with other Southeastern and mid-Atlantic research programs." McKinnon would also like to see the undergraduate research programs grow within the department. "Undergraduate research is also close to my heart and I think there are synergies to be found between the training of graduate and undergraduate researchers. We are vigorously seeking external support for both our graduate and undergraduate programs."

McKinnon's own personal area of research centers on the sexual selection, speciation and evolution in fish. His paper, Evidence for Ecology's Role in Speciation, within the publication "Nature" has been cited 107 times.

"Every morning when I come into the office I feel fortunate to be working alongside the collegial, capable colleagues I have in my department and college." Although he has many goals for the Department of Biology, McKinnon is aware that a critical component of achieving these goals is teamwork and camaraderie within the department.

View the entire February 2009 Issue of Exploration & Discovery