Jennifer Gerton, Ph.D.,
assumed the role of Dean on July 1,
2024
KANSAS
CITY, Mo., July 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Graduate
School of the Stowers Institute for Medical Research announces
the appointment of Jennifer Gerton,
Ph.D., as its new Dean. Gerton, an esteemed Investigator at
the Stowers Institute and current faculty of the Graduate
School, brings a wealth of foundational research experience and a
passion for mentoring the next generation of scientists.
"Jennifer's dedication to scientific
research and education aligns perfectly with the mission of the
Graduate School."
Gerton joined the Stowers Institute in 2002 and has made
significant contributions to the fields of molecular and cellular
biology. Her research focuses on chromosome organization and
segregation and how these features of chromosomes contribute to
human diseases such as cancer, infertility, and birth defects.
Gerton holds an undergraduate degree in Human Biology and a Ph.D.
in Microbiology and Immunology, both from Stanford University.
Most recently, Gerton's research team has played a significant
role in the Telomere-to-Telomere (T2T) consortium, a
multi-institutional, international effort which resulted in the
first complete human genome sequence, a massive step forward in
human genomics.
As the new Dean, Gerton is enthusiastic about shaping a robust
curriculum that encourages early career researchers to ask bold
questions in the life sciences. "I am thrilled to take on this new
role and to have the opportunity to guide and inspire our
predoctoral researchers," said Gerton. "The growth and achievements
of the Graduate School and our graduates in such a short time is
truly remarkable and it is an honor to now help ensure its success
continues into the future."
The announcement of Gerton's appointment comes shortly after
Matt Gibson, Ph.D., former Dean of
the Graduate School and Investigator at the Institute, was named
President. Gibson assumed his role on July
1, 2024, following the retirement of current President
Betty Drees, M.D., FACP, FACE.
"Jennifer is an exceptional leader and mentor," Gibson said.
"Her dedication to scientific research and education aligns
perfectly with the mission of the Graduate School. I am confident
that our Graduate School will continue to produce outstanding
scientists who are equipped to tackle the most pressing challenges
in the biological sciences today."
"The Graduate School distinguishes itself by the excellence of
our education, including an exceptional faculty and research
environment," said Drees. "With our new leadership in place, I feel
confident the Graduate School and our predoctoral researchers will
continue to flourish."
The Graduate School at the Stowers Institute is located on the
10-acre life science campus of the Stowers Institute for Medical
Research in Kansas City,
Missouri. The school is a vital part of the scientific
community of the Stowers institute established through the altruism
of Jim and Virginia Stowers, who
founded the Stowers Institute for Medical Research in the late
1990s. Their generous contributions continue to provide financial
support for the school. Predoctoral researchers come from far
reaches of the world to conduct curiosity-driven research and
pursue a PhD in biology alongside 31 faculty members who are
investigators and scientists at the Stowers Institute.
"This is an exciting time for our institution," said Gibson.
"Together, we will build on our successes and further equip our
predoctoral researchers with the confidence and skillset to ask the
most bold and impactful questions that exist in biology today."
"The Stowers Institute provides an amazing combination of
financial, intellectual and technical resources that allow early
career researchers to dream big and make substantial discoveries,"
said Gerton. "I hope to guide students on a path that enables them
to take full advantage of the opportunities available at this
outstanding institution and beyond."
About the Graduate School of the Stowers Institute for
Medical Research
The mission of the Graduate School of the Stowers Institute for
Medical Research is to prepare a superb cadre of predoctoral
researchers from around the world for the pursuit of innovative and
creative investigations in the biological sciences. The Graduate
School educational program stresses critical thinking and the rapid
development of experimental prowess. The program also focuses on
in-depth understanding of the latest methodologies and approaches.
The Graduate School is designed to provide predoctoral researchers
with mentorship and hands-on experience to refine their abilities
to carry out independent biological research. The Graduate School
welcomed its first class in the fall of 2012, and in 2016 the first
predoctoral researcher completed the PhD program. The Graduate
School is certified by the State of
Missouri as an institution of higher education and has
institutional accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission.
The Graduate School of the Stowers Institute currently enrolls
48 predoctoral researchers in its Ph.D. program. These researchers
engage in a comprehensive curriculum that includes module courses,
laboratory rotations, and thesis work, all of which contribute to
their development of a substantial body of research in their chosen
field. To receive their doctoral degree, Graduate School
predoctoral researchers must demonstrate competency in each of the
following six areas upon completion of the degree program: research
leadership, critical thinking, scientific knowledge, experimental
skills, scientific communication, and professional and ethical
behavior. Throughout their tenure, predoctoral researchers actively
contribute to the scientific community by publishing in
peer-reviewed journals and regularly participating in scientific
meetings and seminars. The program's structure, combining rigorous
coursework with hands-on research experience, ensures that
graduates are well-equipped to make significant contributions to
their fields and tackle complex biological questions. This
immersive experience not only advances their research but also
prepares them for future careers as independent scientists.
For more information about the Graduate School of the Stowers
Institute for Medical Research and its programs, please visit
stowers.edu.
Contact: Joe Chiodo,
jchiodo@stowers.org, 724-462-8529
View original content to download
multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-graduate-school-of-the-stowers-institute-for-medical-research-names-new-dean-302188143.html
SOURCE Stowers Institute for Medical Research