I am eager to take our Department forward as Chair to a greater understanding of biological systems and to break ground on new techniques in teaching and research.
I start my tenure as Chair with a deep sense of the responsibilities that come with the position and gratitude to be part of a department of brilliant and supportive colleagues. I am grateful for the advice and mentorship I received in my early years at U of T and will nurture that supportive atmosphere as Chair.
I will build on the Departmental strengths created by previous Chairs and Associate Chairs, supported by expert staff and a stellar leadership team. I am grateful to John Calarco and Keiko Yoshioka for joining me as Associate Chair, Research and Associate Chair, Undergraduate and to Ashley Bruce for working with me as Graduate Chair.
At the educational level, we promote modern, interactive instruction for an engaged student body and our faculty provide a personal approach supporting experiential learning at U of T and abroad. I’m glad that I can contribute my teaching expertise to exploring more opportunities to support life science students and enrich their experiences at University of Toronto.
Our colleagues are recipients of prestigious honours, including Connaught, Early Career, CFI and Royal Fellowships, and these exceptional students, post-docs and professors will have my utmost support moving forward. We will continue to produce outstanding discoveries that enhance and challenge our understanding of living organisms.
It is thanks to the team that Professor Nick Provart and Ben Eldridge recruited that I will be able to guide our Department to the ranks of the best in the world.
Jennifer Mitchell
Cell & Systems Biology Chair