Biology Department To Hire Population Geneticist Next Year
John Krudy
Issue date: 11/29/07 Section: News
The Hillsdale College biology department plans to hire a population geneticist, and has received several applications for the position.
"We're looking for someone who has been trained in molecular biology, but who can still cross over into the organismal field," said Biology Chairman Frank Steiner. "Right now we're looking, we're in the middle of the process."
Population genetics is the study of mutation, genetic drift and gene flow. Steiner said the new hire will begin as an assistant professor in fall 2008.
"I think it's a really good thing for the department," said junior Lydia Melancon, a biology major. "Population genetics is just another part of biology we should know about - us not having a professor of genetics is like the chemistry department not having an inorganic chemist. Right now the only population genetics we do is in Biology 509, or in Conservation Club."
Junior biology major Kevin King agreed.
"There has been a lack of bioinformatics, which is basically biostatistics on crack," he said. "It's much more in-depth, and since it's used more for genetics, a new professor would help."
Biology is the third largest major on campus.
No student interviewed felt there was a lack of quality instruction at Hillsdale.
"Not having a population geneticist is not a major, big hole,"
Melancon said.
Steiner said the new professor will enlarge the scope of the department and help instruct in current classes.
"There will be no new majors," he said, "but he or she will provide some new courses."
Steiner said that having a population genetic professor is unusual for a school Hillsdale's size.
"We're quite good in the diversity of fields we represent," he said.
Steiner also mentioned that there will be a conservation lab in the new Mossey Science Wing, and the new professor will be "essentially in charge" of its operation.
Hillsdale College Collegian 2007
"We're looking for someone who has been trained in molecular biology, but who can still cross over into the organismal field," said Biology Chairman Frank Steiner. "Right now we're looking, we're in the middle of the process."
Population genetics is the study of mutation, genetic drift and gene flow. Steiner said the new hire will begin as an assistant professor in fall 2008.
"I think it's a really good thing for the department," said junior Lydia Melancon, a biology major. "Population genetics is just another part of biology we should know about - us not having a professor of genetics is like the chemistry department not having an inorganic chemist. Right now the only population genetics we do is in Biology 509, or in Conservation Club."
Junior biology major Kevin King agreed.
"There has been a lack of bioinformatics, which is basically biostatistics on crack," he said. "It's much more in-depth, and since it's used more for genetics, a new professor would help."
Biology is the third largest major on campus.
No student interviewed felt there was a lack of quality instruction at Hillsdale.
"Not having a population geneticist is not a major, big hole,"
Melancon said.
Steiner said the new professor will enlarge the scope of the department and help instruct in current classes.
"There will be no new majors," he said, "but he or she will provide some new courses."
Steiner said that having a population genetic professor is unusual for a school Hillsdale's size.
"We're quite good in the diversity of fields we represent," he said.
Steiner also mentioned that there will be a conservation lab in the new Mossey Science Wing, and the new professor will be "essentially in charge" of its operation.
Hillsdale College Collegian 2007
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