PULLMAN, Wash. — Dr. Howard Grimes, who has served as interim dean of Washington State University’s Graduate School since July 2002, has been named dean of the Graduate School. His new title is effective immediately.
Dr. Robert Bates, provost and academic vice president said he was pleased Grimes accepted the position. “His experience and leadership in graduate education, combined with a solid record in funded research and administration, will position him to serve well in his new role,” Bates said. “I look forward to working with him as we advance the mission of the Graduate School.”
Grimes, who joined the WSU faculty in 1989, previously served associate director of Graduate Programs, professor in the School of Molecular Biosciences, and co-chair of the Program in Plant Physiology.
His areas of research are focused on the biochemistry of membrane transport proteins and the structure, function and regulation of lipoxygenases – enzymes involved in lipid metabolism and in the generation of a wide array of signaling molecules. Both areas, in broad terms, directly impact plant productivity and are important targets for genetic manipulation. Grimes has been a training faculty member for both National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation funded programs.
Grimes has a breadth of graduate experience serving at the department and school level as well as on several university committees: Graduate School Evaluation Committee for Summer Graduate RA Awards (1995-96, 1997-98), Graduate Studies Committee (1997-99), co-chair and chair of Graduate Studies Committee (1998-00), and chair of the Associate Dean of the Graduate School Search Committee (1999-00).
Grimes earned his M.S. in Plant Pathology from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and his Ph.D. in Botany from North Carolina State University.
