A Message From The Chair

Robert J. Duronio

Professor and Chair of Biology

What is the primary essential function of an academic department at a research-intensive University like UNC-Chapel Hill? In my view the answer is to provide the organizational framework and inclusive culture necessary to achieve the twin missions of research and teaching. My goal as chair of the Department of Biology is to fulfill these missions by fostering a diverse culture of individual and collaborative scholarship that is rooted in 1) curiosity-driven inquiry of biological processes at the ecological, organismal, cellular, and molecular levels, and 2) evidenced-based pedagogical practices that continually improve education at the undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral levels.

The Department of Biology at UNC Chapel is outstanding in all respects, with national and international leaders in research and teaching throughout its ranks. Nevertheless, striving to improve by recruiting and collaborating with new scholars is an active part of our department life. I encourage you to contact me with ideas for how our department can collaborate with you to advance biological scholarship through research and teaching.

 Office: 206 Coker Hall

 Lab: 3350 Genome Sciences Building

 Phone: 919-962-8321