The 1999 biological sciences reorganization transformed the way basic sciences support human health, the environment, renewable energy, agriculture and biotechnology at the University of Minnesota.
CBS is a relatively small college. But it makes a big difference through basic research that supports medicine, the environment, renewable energy, biotechnology and agriculture.
That role grew out of a sweeping, University-wide reorganization of the biological sciences 10 years ago that is reflected in the quality of basic research, facilities, faculty and students.
“It’s hard to point to specific benefits because virtually everything has changed,” says David Bernlohr, head of the Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics.
Before 1999 there were separate departments in Minneapolis and St. Paul. The fragmentation kept the University from competing effectively with other public research institutions for stature, funding, faculty and students.
To reverse that trend, President Nils Hasselmo initiated the reorganization in 1996, tapping CBS Dean Robert Elde and Medical School Dean Al Michael to lead it. Administrators and faculty alike saw a wealth of opportunities to improve biology research and education by eliminating duplication, sharing resources and encouraging collaboration.
When Mark Yudof became president in 1997, he knew that Minnesota needed to strengthen molecular and cellular biology research. So he used the reorganization as a platform for his Molecular and Cellular Biology Initiative and secured $110 million from the state to construct the Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB) building and hire talented young faculty. The Regents approved the plan in October 1998 and in 1999 four consolidated departments began to take shape:
The new departments reported to CBS and the Medical School and/or the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, creating a kind of family tree. The reorganization culminated with the opening of the MCB building in October 2002. And the new faculty arrived between 2000 and 2005.
The Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, which had been restructured previously, added another dimension to the new structure. Over the past 10 years, CBS has worked to maintain the excellence of EEB, which has always been highly-ranked.
“The new structure created a massive root system to support growth of some of the University’s most essential endeavors.” Elde says. “And it’s really just beginning to bear fruit.” —Peggy Rinard
