Michael Griswold, professor of Washington State University’s School of Molecular Biosciences, has accepted the position of dean for the College of Sciences. Griswold has served as interim dean of the College of Sciences for the past year. His appointment marks the completion of a search that began Aug. 2, 2002, and netted more than 30 applicants. The field was reviewed by a search committee, headed by Anjan Bose, dean of the College of Engineering and Architecture.
“I am extremely pleased that we have recruited such a talented scientist and experienced academic administrator to lead this important college,” said Robert C. Bates, provost and academic vice president. “Griswold is committed to building on the college’s notable strength and success in research and graduate education, while extending and deepening the undergraduate educational experience in the classrooms and laboratories of the college.”
Griswold is recognized as one of the leading authorities in the study of male reproductive biology, specifically the role of the Sertoli cell in sperm cell development. He received a MERIT award from the National Institutes of Health and has served as president of the Society for the Study of Reproduction. Griswold gave the keynote address at the 1999 Gordon Research Conference. He also won a WSU Sahlin Faculty Excellence Award for Research, Scholarship and Arts in 1998-99.
Griswold has held important leadership positions in the college the past 15 years that includes service as interim dean since August 2002. He also has served the university in several administrative roles, including chair of the biochemistry/biophysics department from 1986 – 89 and 1990 – 94, acting dean of sciences from 1989 – 90 and director of the School of Molecular Biosciences since 1999. Griswold joined the WSU faculty in 1976.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and a doctorate in biochemistry from the University of Wyoming and held the Edward R. Meyer Professorship in Science from August 1995 – August 1998.
