Spring 2001 Catalyst

Retrospective

Historical Timeline of the
Biochemistry Department

Here's a historical timeline for Biochemistry and the Ph.D. programs at the University of Arizona:

1959

The first faculty member of Biochemistry, Gordon Tollin, is hired into the Division of Biochemistry of the Department of Chemistry. From 1962 to 1973 the Division adds Drs. John Rupley, Richard Jensen, Michael Cusanovich and F. Raymond Salemme.

1967

The Department of Biochemistry in the College of Medicine is formed. Dr. Donald Hanahan, Head, Dr. Michael Wells and Dr. Christopher Matthews are the inaugural faculty. From 1968 to 1971 the Department adds Drs. Merle Olson, William Grimes and Mark Haussler.

1968

In 1968, a joint Ph.D. program is established by the Chemistry and Medical school faculty under supervision of the Committee on Biochemistry (Graduate). The program is supported by a Biochemistry Training grant from 1968-1979. Interaction and communication between the two groups is fostered by sharing a common seminar program and jointly recruiting graduate students.

1977

Under the leadership of Dr. Herb Carter, the University Department of Biochemistry is created on July 1, officially joining the two faculties, along with several faculty from the College of Agriculture, including Dr. Don Bourque. Dr. Marc Tischler joins the faculty in 1979.

1981

Dr. John Law arrives from U. Chicago to become Department Head and the main campus faculty move to the newly built western wing of Biosciences West. Drs. John Little, Hans Bohnert, Carol Dieckmann, Ivan Rayment, Richard Hallick and Elizabeth Vierling are hired in the next few years.

1986

Dr. Michael Wells assumes the Headship of Biochemistry. Drs. Roger Miesfeld, Robert Gillies, Louise Canfield, William Montfort and Mark Dodson are hired over the next ten years.

1995

The Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular and Cellular Biology inaugurate the joint "BMCB" Graduate Program.

1997

Dr. Marc Tischler serves as Interim Head for three years as the Department searches for a new leader. The BMCB Program wins an NIH training grant.

2000

Dr. Thomas Baldwin arrives from Texas A & M to take over the Headship. Drs. Matt Cordes and Megan McEvoy are hired in the first year. Plans for a new multi-million dollar Biotechnology Institute are solidified. The Department of Biochemistry initiates a new joint Biological Chemistry Ph.D. program with the Department of Chemistry. The Department assumes the new name "Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics".

Biological Sciences West
P.O. Box 210088 ·Tucson, AZ 85721-0088
Tel: (520) 621-9185 FAX (520) 621-9288
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics
The University of Arizona
Updated June 1, 2004

http://www.biochem.arizona.edu/
All contents copyright ©2001-2004. All rights reserved.
cherylr@u.arizona.edu