08-08-07

Dr. James Bloedel named chair of ISU's biomedical sciences department

AMES, Iowa -- Dr. James R. Bloedel has been named chair of the Department of Biomedical Sciences in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University, effective July 1, 2007.

Bloedel received his medical and doctoral degrees from the University of Minnesota and came to Iowa State in 2000. He has served as dean of the Graduate College, vice provost for research and advanced studies and currently is professor in the departments of Biomedical Sciences and Health and Human Performance. He has published more than 140 books, chapters and manuscripts, and has received 34 years of continuous funding from the National Institutes of Health.

"We are fortunate to have someone with the depth of Dr. Bloedel's administrative and research experience step into this key position during a time of rapid growth and change," said Dr. John U. Thomson, veterinary medicine dean. "We look forward to his continued contribution in his new role."

Bloedel replaces Dr. Richard Martin, who has been the chair of biomedical sciences for nearly eight years. Martin will continue as a professor in biomedical sciences, focusing on research in the electrical properties of cells and their responses to drugs.

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