After receiving my Bachelor’s degree from Marietta College (OH) in science education, I entered the Endocrinology-Reproductive Physiology graduate program at the University of Wisconsin (Madison), where my research focused on the biochemical characterization of the equine gonadotropins. From there, I completed postdoctoral fellowships at Cornell Medical College (NY) and Washington University School of Medicine (MO) where I was trained in molecular biology, before assuming a position in the Reproductive Endocrinology Program at the University of Michigan Medical School (UMMS). During my twenty years there, I became an Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmacology as well as assuming a number of administrative positions including Assistant Dean of Research and Graduate Studies, Assistant Dean for Student and Minority Affairs, Chair of the Subcommittee for the Review of Minority applicants to medical school and also Director of the Summer Research Program. While in those positions, I continued my research on the control of the female reproductive system, always funded externally by federal grants, e.g. R01s.

I left UMMS to become Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs and Scholarly Activities at California State University Dominguez Hills (CSUDH), which is a Minority Serving Institution (MSI) located in South Central Los Angeles. For me, this was a “perfect fit” as I had become most actively involved with, and committed to, minority issues, especially addressing the under representation of minorities in the sciences. To that point, I received two federal grants that targeted specifically underrepresented minority students, i.e. the Minority Access to Research careers (MARC) and Bridges to the Baccalaureate. In addition, I was most active with national scientific societies, e.g. The Endocrine Society and the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB), specifically relating to their Minority Affairs Committees.

The next stage for me, and where I am currently, was to teach and advise in my capacities of Professor of Biology and CSUDH Pre-health Advisor. However in addition throughout the past 20 years, I have continued to travel to MSIs, i.e. HBCUs in particular, to present seminars on choosing and preparing for careers in the sciences.

In summary, as a trained reproductive endocrinologist and an advocate for minority issues, I now focus on these areas through my teaching of courses such as endocrinology and minority health disparities as well as my advising responsibilities, i.e. working to get more minorities into professional and graduate programs.

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Contact Me » tom@thomaslandefeld.com