Bollinger chooses 2 to head LSI

By Lisa Koivu

Daily Staff Reporter

The University announced yesterday that it has found not only one, but two people, to direct the Life Sciences Initiative after a year of searching.

The University chose Jack Dixon, chair of the biological chemistry department in the University's Medical School, and Scott Emr, a cellular and molecular biology professor at the University of California at San Diego medical school to jointly direct the LSI.

University President Lee Bollinger said both Dixon and Emr requested to direct the center together. The two met five years ago and have developed a professional relationship through working together at several seminars.

"Both people are highly competent and both wanted to do it together. I'm not sure I could have gotten either one of them without having two of them share the burden," he said.

"I felt it would be really best overall," he added. "I very much want active, practicing scientists to lead the initiative."

Dixon said that he and Emr want to research while simultaneously directing the initiative.

"This is a very big job and we decided to do it together so we can continue with our science," Dixon said.

Emr said that with the two of them working together, they will each be able to continue with their research half time.

"The two of us together will be much greater than one of us alone. The job of being director is big enough to consume one person," Emr said.

Emr said Dixon's experience is one reason he is interested in working with him.

"Jack seemed like an ideal person to share the responsibility with. He has an exceptional amount of experience at the University of Michigan, and he's had a fair amount of management experience," Emr said. "I have a great deal of respect for him and I trust him.

Dixon said he hopes that both he and Emr can make a difference in scientific fields.

"I think we can affect science within the entire University. Scott is a terrific, very-energetic scientist and we share a vision of quality research," Dixon said. "He'll be a lot of fun to work with.

Bollinger said the most important job the two directors will have in the upcoming years is finding scientists to work in the institute.

"Their most important job will be to bring in a cohort of great scientists. They'll also have to recruit faculty who fit into the University," Bollinger said.

Dixon said he is looking forward to kick starting the initiative.

Emr

Dixon