With the beginning of the Fall 2023 quarter, we wanted to introduce you to the 2023-2024 College of Natural & Agricultural Sciences (CNAS) department chairs:
 

Biochemistry
Xuan Liu
Professor & Chair

 

Botany & Plant Sciences
Patricia Springer
Professor of Genetics & Chair

 

Chemistry
Leonard Mueller
Professor & Chair
Check out my lab
 

Earth & Planetary Sciences
Gordon Love
Professor & Chair

 

Entomology
Rick Redak
Professor & Chair

 

Environmental Sciences
Jay Gan
Professor of Environmental Chemistry & Environmental Chemist

 

Evolution, Ecology & Organismal Biology
Joel Sachs
Professor & Plant Evolutionary Ecologist
Read my welcome message
 

Mathematics
Fred Wilhelm
Professor & Chair
Check out my website
 

Microbiology & Plant Pathology
Howard Judelson
Professor & Plant Pathologist

 

Molecular, Cell & Systems Biology
Morris F. Maduro
Professor of Biology

 

Nematology
Adler Dillman
Professor & Chair
Check out my lab
 

Physics & Astronomy
Shan-Wen Tsai
Professor & Interim Chair

 

Statistics
Yehua Li
Professor & Chair
Check out my profile


We asked our department chairs a few questions about what they look forward to this time of year. Read on to see what they had to say:
 

Tell us a fun fact about you!
 

"I like solar and lunar eclipses, and have many pictures of them in my office."
Morris F. Maduro, Department of Molecular, Cell & Systems Biology

"I grew up on a small farm in Brazil and Portuguese is my first language."
Shan-Wen Tsai, Department of Physics & Astronomy

"I'm fluent in Spanish and go salt water fishing in Baja whenever I can!"
Fred Wilhelm, Department of Mathematics

"I have been to 16 national parks, and plan to check out more items on my list."
Yehua Li, Department of Statistics

"Though I did not go to UCR as an undergraduate, one of the first field sampling trips I attended as an undergrad was to the Republic of Moldova with the Department of Nematology at UCR. I applied to an open call and was accepted. We sampled for nematodes in a variety of places and that initial connection eventually led me back to UCR."
Adler Dillman, Department of Nematology

"As a kid growing up in Chicago I always had a fascination with the desert and I actually collected and cared for cacti as a hobby, starting in grade school. Now, living here, I am able to really cultivate that hobby to a much greater degree!"
Joel Sachs, Department of Evolution, Ecology & Organismal Biology
 

What's a fun fact about your department?
 

"The department was founded in 1914...40 years before the UCR campus started!"
Patricia Springer, Department of Botany & Plant Sciences

"We are the only Department of Nematology at a University in the US."
Adler Dillman, Department of Nematology

"I can’t help sharing here an amazing fact: Professor Barry Barish is a Nobel Laureate who has just been awarded the National Medal of Science by President Biden. His CNAS Endowed Chair provides support for independent undergraduate research. We now have an amazing experimental cosmology group here at UCR, with ongoing search for a new faculty in Neutrino Physics, Particle Astrophysics, Cosmology, and Gravitational Waves."
Shan-Wen Tsai, Department of Physics & Astronomy

"Most of our faculty were hired in the last ten years, so they are young and full of energy."
Fred Wilhelm, Department of Mathematics

"The department was founded in 1968. It is the 2nd oldest statistics departments in the UC system -- only younger than Berkley." 
Yehua Li, Department of Statistics

"We are probably the newest life sciences department in the college, having been established some 25 years ago."
Morris F. Maduro, Department of Molecular, Cell & Systems Biology

"We are among the founding departments of UCR, having been here since 1954. Our name has changed two different times, but the mission that we serve is the same."
Joel Sachs, Department of Evolution, Ecology & Organismal Biology
 

What are you most looking forward to this year?

"The sense of energy I get from everyone being back on campus!"
Fred Wilhelm, Department of Mathematics

"I enjoy teaching parasitology in the fall, and I always look forward to that class!"
Adler Dillman, Department of Nematology

"I am looking forward to our students' active learning and engagement in our classrooms and discussion sessions, in teaching labs, in research labs working with our faculty, postdocs, and graduate students, in seminar rooms, hallway discussions and other department activities."
Shan-Wen Tsai, Department of Physics & Astronomy

"I'm excited about the three new EEOB faculty that have just started this year, and the new hires that we are bringing in over the next year. Expanding the EEOB department will help us to better serve the Biology major, the largest major here at UC Riverside."
Joel Sachs, Department of Evolution, Ecology & Organismal Biology

"As Statistics continues to contribute to interdisciplinary research on campus and build up collaborations with other units, both within CNAS and in other colleges, we look forward to bringing in new, talented faculty to join the team, particularly in areas of data science and biostatistics."
Yehua Li, Department of Statistics

"I'm looking forward to the completion of the Batchelor Hall renovation! It will be great to get back to normal."
Patricia Springer, Department of Botany & Plant Sciences

"We are currently in the middle of two faculty searches, which are opportunities to grow our department."
Morris F. Maduro, Department of Molecular, Cell & Systems Biology

What are some of this year's departmental goals?

"Our goals are to engage in cutting-edge research to solve important problems in biology, to train young researchers in the process of science using modern techniques, and to teach the foundations of biology to students that will need these critical skills for the workforce."
Joel Sachs, Department of Evolution, Ecology & Organismal Biology

"The department is putting in place tutoring for students in PHYS 41ABC, our major’s introductory sequence of physics courses, to help bring new students up to speed if they are having difficulties with the class material. Other goals include introducing new experiments in our capstone laboratory course, PHYS 142L, continuing involving undergraduate students in cutting-edge research in our faculty labs, and providing more outreach opportunities for our students to contribute to our community and to K-12 education."
Shan-Wen Tsai, Department of Physics & Astronomy

"We have two major conferences planned: Predictive Modeling in Biology and Medicine & Mathematical Pathways to an Excellent Future. We will also host iterations of the Richard Block and Vic Shapiro Distinguished Lecture Series. Richard and Jane Block are responsible for protecting much of the beautiful wilderness areas in Riverside, such as Sycamore Canyon and the Box Spring Mountains."
Fred Wilhelm, Department of Mathematics

"In additional to bringing young talents and new expertise into our faculty, the department will undergo a regular graduate program review to help us examine our own strengths and weaknesses. We hope the review can also help us determine the direction of future growth in order to better serve the graduate education on campus." 
Yehua Li, Department of Statistics

"We hope to plan for future teaching, space and hires for the coming years."
Morris F. Maduro, Department of Molecular, Cell & Systems Biology

"We are planning to be more social and engaged with each other."
Adler Dillman, Department of Nematology
 

What's the best way for students to learn about research opportunities in your department?
 

"The best way is to peruse our website, which contains detailed information about all the exciting research happening in our labs."
Joel Sachs, Department of Evolution, Ecology & Organismal Biology

"The entering students take PHYS 39: 'Adventures in Physics,' which provides information on careers and guest lecture presentations from faculty on their research and professional experience. The students are asked to conduct interviews with the  faculty members. That is something that was implemented to facilitate early entry to research for our students. General information about our research groups and list of faculty can be found on our website, with detailed information for each research group. Contacting faculty directly via email to set up a meeting is always a good way to learn more about their research and opportunities."
Shan-Wen Tsai, Department of Physics & Astronomy

"The UCR research portal, or by emailing individual professors."
Adler Dillman, Department of Nematology

"Email faculty whose research sounds interesting to you and ask if they have openings. Or approach your professors after class...not all faculty post on the research portal, although this site has good tips for contacting faculty."
Patricia Springer, Department of Botany & Plant Sciences

"Students should identify faculty whose work they may be interested in on the department website and reach out to them directly."
Morris F. Maduro, Department of Molecular, Cell & Systems Biology

"The faculty website is a great source of information, and the department Graduate Student Association (GSA) has a newsletter that spotlights faculty and graduate student research. The GSA also hosts coffee hours inviting the faculty to share their current research with the students."
Yehua Li, Department of Statistics

"For research opportunities in the Mathematics Department, go to either the UCR Math Undergrad Research website or Dr. Weitao Chen's webpage. Students can also contact Professors Kevin Costello or Jose Gonzalez."
Fred Wilhelm, Department of Mathematics
 

What's the best way for students to get to know their faculty members?
 

"Talk with them!"
Fred Wilhelm, Department of Mathematics

"Students should visit their instructors in office hours with meaningful questions about the course material. Be engaged with your courses...attend class and participate in class activities."
Morris F. Maduro, Department of Molecular, Cell & Systems Biology

"Taking classes from them is a great way to get to know faculty. But you should definitely attend office hours and engage."
Adler Dillman, Department of Nematology

"Don't be shy! We are approachable people and we love what we do. Personally, I am always happy to meet a new student, to get to know them, and to help them to achieve their goals."
Joel Sachs, Department of Evolution, Ecology & Organismal Biology

"Attend office hours or talk to your professors before or after class.  Faculty are usually eager to get to know our students."
Patricia Springer, Department of Botany & Plant Sciences

"Join the department colloquium, talk to the faculty as well as the speaker while enjoy refreshments. Come to the departmental social events, including the fall welcoming party and graduate student coffee hours, or simply knock on our doors."
Yehua Li, Department of Statistics

"There are a few things set up to provide more opportunities, such as the PHYS 39 class, quarterly advising meetings with an undergraduate advisor, department colloquia that are preceded by coffee/tea time for the department to meet, and a number of social events. Setting up one-on-one meetings and joining research group meetings are good ways to learn more about our faculty. Most importantly, don't be shy!  Faculty enjoy talking to students, especially about their research."
Shan-Wen Tsai, Department of Physics & Astronomy
 

How can CNAS students enjoy a successful academic year?
 

"Find and follow your passions. UCR offers an amazing diversity of classes, training opportunities, and student services. Students that take the time to find their passion -- what they will most enjoy and excel in -- will be rewarded with careers that better support their goals and needs and will provide a happier life."
Joel Sachs, Department of Evolution, Ecology & Organismal Biology

"Prepare, show up, pay attention, do your best, and divorce yourself from the outcome."
Fred Wilhelm, Department of Mathematics

"Stay engaged with your courses and manage your time well."
Morris F. Maduro, Department of Molecular, Cell & Systems Biology

"Use your time here to explore areas of interest, and be willing to take classes that aren't directly aligned with your major. You might surprise yourself by finding new interests."
Adler Dillman, Department of Nematology

"Stay on top of the material.  A 10-week term goes by very quickly!"
Patricia Springer, Department of Botany & Plant Sciences

"A few things to remember: one, you are not alone. Two, physics is learned by doing — running experiments in the lab, solving problems, performing calculations, analyzing causes and effects, applying concepts, making predictions. Three, coursework is very important, but there is much to learn and engage in that is not on the test or in the classroom. And four, take advantage of the research opportunities that we offer!"
Shan-Wen Tsai, Department of Physics & Astronomy

"Join student organizations, research groups, and get involved."
Yehua Li, Department of Statistics