New Molecular Genetics And Microbiology Department, Ph.D. Programs, Created At Duke University

DURHAM, N.C. -- The Duke University Board of Trustees Saturday voted to create a new combined department and two new Ph.D. programs in biomedical areas. Merging the current departments of genetics and microbiology into the new Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology enhances the teaching and research missions of these two academic areas, university officials said. Officials added that combining these two departments will expand Duke's contributions to microbial pathogenesis studies, enhance faculty recruitment and create "a critical mass of faculty, students and postdoctoral fellows necessary to achieve a sustaining national presence in these areas." Creation of the new department had received the support of the two current departments, the Executive Committee of the School of Medicine, the Academic Priorities Committee and the Academic Council. The trustees approved a second resolution that establishes a Ph.D. program in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology. It replaces the current Ph.D. program in Microbiology, although currently enrolled students will have the option of receiving a Ph.D. in either Microbiology or in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology. The trustees also approved the establishment of a Ph.D. program in Bioinformatics and Genome Technology. The change creates "a significant addition to the biological and mathematical sciences" at Duke, officials said, and builds on two Bioinformatics and Genome Technology initiatives established last fall: a postdoctoral program and a graduate certificate program. In other business, the board:

• established a program to extend educational loans to graduate and professional students in partnership with Sallie Mae, the nation's leading provider of student loans. The Stafford Lender Program at Duke will take effect immediately, in time for the university to serve as lender for students enrolling in the fall. Under current law, universities are permitted to become lenders for graduate and professional students, but not undergraduates, said James Belvin, Duke's director of financial aid. There will be no additional costs to students under the program, Belvin said. Essentially, the university will retain the premiums that otherwise would be paid to banks or other commercial lenders. Revenue from the program is expected to be between $1 million and $1.4 million annually, said Belvin.
• re-elected its officers for 2002-03. The officers include: Harold L. "Spike" Yoh Jr., chair; Peter M. Nicholas, vice chair; Robert King Steel, vice chair; and N. Allison Haltom, secretary.