Biology chair named

Extension cords represent sperm. New biology department chair Elizabeth Raff explains that the plug represents a human sperm tail, while the impressive tangle of orange cord piled near her feet is, at equivalent scale to the plug, the length of the sperm tail of the species of fruit fly that she studies.\nDespite her acceptance of the chair position, Raff said she remains a passionate scientist who is completely at home in her lab discussing the intricacies and scientific advantages of studying such long tails. Her skill as a scientist is not the only quality that led to her appointment as the first-ever female department chair in biology, however. \nRaff served as acting chair of the department for the past year in place of Jeff Palmer, who was on sabbatical.\n"Beth did a really good job last year with recruiting," said Loren Rieseberg, associated chair of the biology department. "We got nearly everyone we wanted, including a black woman biochemist … it was a big coup for us."\nIn addition to hiring, Raff will be in charge of the department's budget and faculty.\nRaff was quick to point out that she is succeeding a quality chair -- Palmer served for six years prior to his sabbatical year -- and said she hopes to continue moving the department forward. \nHaving arrived in 1972 for post doctoral work, Raff has spent her entire professional career at IU. She holds a PhD from Duke University in biochemistry. In 1985, Raff became an associate professor and received full tenure in 1990. After having spent the past year as acting department chair, she will become the official chair July 1. \nThe appointment runs for four years, and Raff said she plans on seeing the completion of a new multidisciplinary science building. \n"By the time I leave, if you look out the window you will see the next MSB building," Raff said.\nRaff also plans on further strengthening the biology department's commitment to both teaching and research. She said three biology professors received trustee teaching awards this year.\n"We're the poster child for how world-class research can translate into amazing teaching," Raff said.\nDespite being the first female to chair the biology department, Raff said she has never had problems in the sciences because of gender.\n"This college and this University have always been very supportive of women scientists," Raff said.\nOf the University's 73 department chairs only 15 are women, according to the Office of the Dean of Faculties, based on data from the 2002-2003 faculty census. \n"The sciences are traditionally male dominated, and I think it's great that the department is openminded enough to hire a female chair," biology graduate student Alex Doetsch said.\nRieseberg said he disagreed that gender is relevant and dismissed the suggestion that Raff's hiring should be seen in terms of gender.\n"We've always had women in positions of substantial authority. I don't think anyone has thought of that (gender) in any way," Rieseberg said.