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Merriam Chair in Biology: Dr. Roos

SAS Dean Samuel H. Preston has also announced that Dr. David S. Roos, director of the Genomics Institute, has been appointed to the Merriam Professorship in Biology, an endowed chair. Dr. Roos has been a member of the biology faculty since 1989. He is also affiliated with the schools of Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, and Engineering and Applied Sciences. Dr. Roos received an A.B. from Harvard University in 1979, a Ph.D. from The Rockefeller University in 1984, and conducted post-doctoral research at Stanford University prior to joining the Penn faculty.

Dr. Roos’ research employs modern techniques in cell biology and molecular genetics to investigate host-pathogen interactions. In particular, the Roos laboratory studies protozoan parasites, including Toxoplasma--a leading cause of death in AIDS patients and a source of congenital neurological abnormalities--and Plasmodium, which causes malaria, one of the world’s leading killers. Recent work has focused on the use of computational approaches to integrate large-scale genomic data sets with experimental analysis in the laboratory.

Dr. Roos also has been actively engaged in educational activities at Penn, including development of the Introductory Biology curriculum, the Computational Biology Training Program, the Biotechnology Masters Program, and a new Graduate Group in Genomics and Computational Biology.

Dr. Roos has published extensively and lectures widely, both in this country and throughout the world. He is a member of several editorial boards, scientific review panels, and professional societies, and serves as a regular advisor to the pharmaceutical industry and many international groups, including the World Health Organization. He is the recipient of numerous research grants and has received awards from the National Science Foundation (Presidential Young Investigator), the Burroughs Wellcome Fund (Scholar Award), and the National Institutes of Health (Merit Award).

The Merriam Chair in Biology was created in 2000 through the bequest of the late John W. Merriam. Born in Chicago in 1907, Mr. Merriam received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the Wharton School and taught economics at Penn in 1934. He began his entrepreneurial career during the Depression when he developed his first apartment complex and later became one of the Delaware Valley’s leading real estate developers. Mr. Merriam was also very active in the Philadelphia arts community and served as director of the Philadelphia College for the Performing Arts and the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts.


Almanac, Vol. 48, No. 5, September 25, 2001

ISSUE HIGHLIGHTS:

Tuesday,
September 25, 2001
Volume 48 Number 5
www.upenn.edu/almanac/

The School of Arts and Sciences names two faculty members to endowed chairs, Dr. Michael Katz from history and Dr. David Roos from biology
In the aftermath of the attacks, while the community has pondered and prayed, donated and discussed, consoled and counseled, hoped and helped, Penn websites have been created or expanded to provide immediate resources and up-to-date information.
The Penn Humanities Forum kicks off today with a lecture on Time.
The A-3 Assembly and PPSA join together to present an Employee Resource Fair this Friday in Perelman Quad.
Operation Brotherly Love gathers funds and goods for the victims of the recent tragedies.
The Trustees meet after a week's postponement and conclude their meeting with a moment of silence.
In light of the current crisis, the Military Leave Guidelines for faculty and staff as well as those for students are outlined.
The University Museum opens a new exhibit on Modern Mongolia with special events that coincide with Penn Family Day.