College of Life Sciences Dean Laura Bridgewater announces the appointment of Scott Weber as the new chair of the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, effective July 1, 2023. Weber currently serves as the associate director for the Simmons Center for Cancer Research.
“Weber brings to this appointment a deep commitment to the mission of BYU and the students we serve,” Dean Bridgewater says. “I am confident that the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology will be richly blessed by his gifts and talents.”
In recognition of Weber’s rich background in teaching, research, and mentoring, he has received the College of Life Sciences Distinguished Mentor Award, Outstanding Teaching Award, and Outstanding Research Award. He has also received several national awards and grants from the National Institute of Health. His research team focuses on improving the immune response to cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, addiction, autoimmune disease, and asthma. Weber joined the BYU faculty in 2012 and teaches courses in molecular biology, immunology, and flow cytometry.
After receiving a bachelor’s and Master of Science degree from Brigham Young University, Weber earned a doctorate in cell and structural biology with a molecular immunology focus from the University of Illinois. He then focused on cellular and molecular immunology projects as a post-doctoral research fellow and research instructor at the Department of Pathology and Immunology in the School of Medicine at Washington University in St. Louis.
As the new department chair, Weber hopes to contribute to the strong tradition of excellence already established in the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology. “I am excited for this opportunity to strive to help our amazing faculty, staff, and students embrace the university mission and excel academically, professionally, and spiritually,” he says.
Weber will replace Joel Griffitts, who has served as the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology Chair for the past several years.
“I also want to express my gratitude for Joel Griffitts’ service as department chair,” Dean Bridgewater says. “Through his thoughtful leadership, he has cultivated an environment where students and faculty explore scientific truths together in the light of the gospel.”