Dean's Office

Academic Leadership

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  Kit Pogliano, Ph.D.

  Dean

  kpogliano@ucsd.edu

  (858) 53 4-4281

  (858) 53 4-4281

  Request a meeting with Dean Pogliano

• 

  Andrew Chisholm, Ph.D.

  Associate Dean

  adchisholm@ucsd.edu

  (858) 24 6-1783

  (858) 24 6-1783

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  Laurie Smith, Ph.D.

  Director of Undergraduate Education

  lgsmith@ucsd.edu

  (858) 82 2-2531

  (858) 82 2-2531

  Leads and coordinates the undergraduate education mission of the Division, including planning and staffing of courses, appointment of instructors, and curriculum development. Provides oversight for activities of the DO/Bio (Discovering Opportunities in Biology) Center, CCE/Bio (Center for Continuing Education in Biosciences), and other student-centered activities within the Division.
• 

  Gentry Patrick, Ph.D.

  Director of Mentorship and Diversity

  gpatrick@ucsd.edu

  (858) 53 4-4838

  (858) 53 4-4838

  As Director of Mentorship and Diversity, Dr. Patrick drives efforts to bridge the Division and UC San Diego campus to the San Diego community, build collaborative partnerships with key community partners, improve upon diversity among students and faculty on campus, and create a more inclusive environment within the Division of Biological Sciences.

Administrative Staff

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  John C. Bauer

  Assistant Dean and Executive Officer

  jcbauer@ucsd.edu

  (858) 53 4-8202

  (858) 53 4-8202

  Responsible for budgetary and fiscal matters, space planning, and analysis and policy development; consults on academic personnel policy, divisional safety program, capital planning, and divisional administrative questions and organizational issues.
• 

  Melanie Ridenour

  Senior Personnel Analyst

  mridenour@ucsd.edu

  (858) 53 4-1967

  (858) 53 4-1967

  Serves as academic personnel point of contact for the division; reviews and analyzes all academic personnel actions; provides counsel to the Dean, Section Chairs, faculty and staff regarding current, proposed and new academic personnel policies, procedures and practices.  Melanie also coordinates endowed chair appointments and works on various special projects.
• 

  Alex Tea

  Dean’s Office Executive Assistant

  altea@ucsd.edu

  (858) 53 4-4281

  (858) 53 4-4281

  Alex provides direct support for the Dean, assists the Dean with the operations of the Dean's Office, and coordinates Dean's Office meetings and activities.
• 

  Victoria Berdin

  Administrative and Events Coordinator

  vberdin@ucsd.edu

  (858) 82 2-4622

  (858) 82 2-4622

  Victoria provides general front desk and administrative support for the Dean’s Office and coordinates a variety of special events and programs.

External Relations / Communications / Development Staff

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  Mario Aguilera

  Director of Communications

  maguilera@ucsd.edu

  (858) 82 2-5148

  (858) 82 2-5148

  Serves as the communications director for Biological Sciences; publicizes research and other features of the division through news releases, articles, interviews, videos, and social media.

  
  
• 

  Christopher Sickels

  Senior Director of Development

  csickels@ucsd.edu

  (858) 24 6-5705

  (858) 24 6-5705

  Chris serves as the lead philanthropic gift officer for Biological Sciences, providing leadership, management, and overall program strategy in planning, coordinating, and implementing fundraising activities for the Dean, Faculty Members, volunteers, and other key collaborative partners for the Division. His mission is to build a comprehensive development program that will engage local, regional, national, and international donors and alumni to actively participate in personalized partnerships that will further the mission and strategic goals of the Division to best serve our students and maximize our broad impact in society.
• 

  Aiza Oliva

  Development Coordinator

  aoliva@ucsd.edu

  (858) 24 6-5305

  (858) 24 6-5305

  Aiza supports fundraising activities, donor relations, stewardship, and events on behalf of the Division.
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  Sarah R. Turner

  Director of Alumni Engagement

  sturner@ucsd.edu

  (858) 53 4-5635

  (858) 53 4-5635

  Sarah's goal is to cultivate and sustain meaningful connections with Biological Sciences' valued alumni both locally and regionally through programming, in-person visits, events, and activities. Her mission is to bring value to alumni by providing opportunities for them to re-connect to UC San Diego and the Division of Biological Sciences.