New Associate Dean for Special Projects

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Professor Catherine Clarke has been appointed the first Associate Dean for Special Projects in the UCLA Division of Physical Sciences. 

“This is a pivotal and important role that will enhance our ability to continue reaching higher levels of excellence by attracting to UCLA the most diverse and talented faculty, students, researchers and contributors,” said Dean of Physical Sciences Professor Miguel García-Garibay in his announcement of the appointment. “Cathy will bring her vision and leadership skills to create programs that showcase and celebrate our commitment to diverse thinking as she advocates for creating and sustaining the next generation of leaders in the Physical Sciences. Please join me in thanking Cathy for her dedication and service to UCLA.”

A true Bruin, Clarke completed her undergraduate and graduate studies at UCLA. Her Ph.D. studies focused on the regulation of cholesterol metabolism. Clarke was a post-doctoral fellow at Princeton University. She returned to UCLA in the Department of Medicine and studied polyisoprene and non-sterol metabolism, and then initiated studies on coenzyme Q biosynthesis using the yeast model. In 1993 she joined the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the Molecular Biology Institute. She was promoted to full professor in 2002. Clarke served as general chemistry advisor and biochemistry graduate student advisor before becoming vice chair for undergraduate education from July 2015 through June 2016. Clarke then served as the first female Chair of the department from July 2016 to June 2019. 

The focus of her current research is determining how cells synthesize coenzyme Q, and utilizing yeast to understand mechanisms of its inter- and intra-cellular transport, and elucidating functional roles.  To learn more about Clarke’s research, visit her website.

Penny Jennings, UCLA Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, penny@chem.ucla.edu.