Branchaw to lead Institute for Biology Education

Janet Branchaw has been named interim director of the Institute for Biology Education (IBE) at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, beginning Friday, July 1.

The IBE partners with many units across campus to improve the quality of undergraduate biology education and to help the public tap into the campus biology community through an array of outreach activities. The institute provides information about and bridges to the many campus opportunities in biology available to UW–Madison undergraduates, including more than 30 biological sciences majors across seven schools and colleges.

Branchaw, a faculty associate and director of undergraduate research and education at IBE, works on developing and implementing innovative biology education approaches, supporting undergraduate research, improving diversity, and expanding training for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows who mentor undergraduates.

She teaches part of the Biocore undergraduate biology curriculum and is coordinator of the very popular undergraduate Entering Research Seminar.

Branchaw succeeds Teri Balser, who is stepping down to become dean of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at the University of Florida.