Dean's Office

Academic Leadership

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  Kit Pogliano, Ph.D.

  Dean

  kpogliano@ucsd.edu

  858-534-4281

  Request a meeting with Dean Pogliano

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  Andrew Chisholm, Ph.D.

  Associate Dean

  adchisholm@ucsd.edu

  858-246-1783

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  James Nieh, Ph.D.

  Associate Dean

  jnieh@ucsd.edu

  858-246-4914

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  Jim Wilhelm, Ph.D.

  Director of Undergraduate Education

  jwilhelm@ucsd.edu

  858-534-9601

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  Gentry Patrick, Ph.D.

  Director of the Center for Empathy and Social Justice in Human Health

  gpatrick@ucsd.edu

  858-534-4838

  As Director of the Center for Empathy and Social Justice in Human Health, Dr. Patrick is an essential partner in efforts to bridge the Division and UC San Diego campus with the San Diego community, build collaborative partnerships with key community partners, improve diversity among students and faculty on campus, and create a more inclusive environment within the School of Biological Sciences.

Administrative Staff

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  Katherine Emmett

  Assistant Dean

  kemmett@ucsd.edu

  858-534-8202

  Responsible for budgetary and fiscal matters, space planning and analysis, policy and procedures development, divisional business and capital planning, and divisional administrative operations and organizational issues.
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  Melanie Ridenour

  Senior Academic Personnel Analyst

  mridenour@ucsd.edu

  858-534-1967

  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.
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  Cheyenne Cross

  Assistant Academic Personnel Analyst

  ccross@ucsd.edu

  858-246-4847

  Cheyenne assists the Senior Personnel Analyst in the review and analysis of academic personnel actions, and provides support with various special projects.
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  Sara Werner

  Strategic Programs Project Manager

  slwerner@ucsd.edu

  858-246-2888

  In her role as Strategic Programs Project Manager, Sara supports the Dean's office, faculty, and staff to ensure that resources and facilities are leveraged for research development activities. Sara serves as the program manager for the Technology Sandbox and the UC San Diego program manager for strategic industry-academia partnerships centered within Biological Sciences.

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  Alex Tea

  Dean's Executive Assistant

  altea@ucsd.edu

  858-534-4281

  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.
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  Victoria Berdin

  Administrative and Events Coordinator

  vberdin@ucsd.edu

  858-822-4622

  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

  858-822-5148

  As the Communications Director for Biological Sciences, Mario coordinates communication strategies and publicizes research and other features through news releases, articles, interviews, videos and social media. He also serves as co-leader of the campus' Research Communications Program, which trains scientists to clearly and effectively communicate their research to public audiences.
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  Augie Garibay

  Director of Alumni Relations

  augie@ucsd.edu

  858-534-9548

  As the Director Alumni Relations for Biological Sciences, Augie strives to cultivate and maintain a strong affinity among alumni with UC San Diego and the School of Biological Sciences. With 24 years of experience working in higher education in a variety of roles, Augie aims to authentically and effectively engage with alumni to facilitate connections with current students, faculty, and staff.
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  Christopher Sickels

  Senior Director of Development

  csickels@ucsd.edu

  858-246-5705

  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.
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  Martha Leon

  Director of Development

  mleon@ucsd.edu

  858-761-1058

  Martha serves as a philanthropic gift officer for the School of Biological Sciences, working closely to develop strong relationships with the campus community and the greater San Diego Area. Martha has a passion for educational fundraising and utilizing exciting strategies to engage and align our supporters' interests to the mission of the Division of Biological Science.

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  Kaitlyn Heiskell

  Development Coordinator

  kheiskell@ucsd.edu

  858-534-2000

  As the development coordinator for the School of Biological Sciences, Kaitlyn works with the philanthropic gift officers to implement cultivation, fundraising, and donor relations programs, events, and activities that support the mission and goals of the division.
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  Sarah R. Turner

  Associate Director of Development

  sturner@ucsd.edu

  858-534-5635

  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 School of Biological Sciences.
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  Melissa Hoon

  Director of Corporate Relations and Professional Development

  mhoon@ucsd.edu

  858-822-3586

  Melissa supports the Division's Co-Op Program and Corporate Affiliates Program (BioCAP) by engaging students, alumni, and industry partners in an effort to expand a diverse and robust talent pipeline. She also teaches career exploratory and communications courses that focus on soft skills to support students' professional development and career success.