Nathaniel Whitaker
Interim Dean
Professor Whitaker's recent research involves problems in math biology such as the growth of tumors. He develops models which simulate the recruitment and growth of vascular networks for the tumor, providing oxygen and nutrients and allowing it to grow. He also works on the models for the nephron the basic functional unit of the kidney. These models simulate the processing of sodium in the kidney. Professor Whitaker also works in fluid mechanics. He has worked on multiphase flow in a Hele-Shaw cell. He also looks at models for two-dimensional turbulence using methods in statistical mechanics.
Contact infoElizabeth Connor
Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education
Elizabeth A. Connor is an associate professor of biology with research in the area of neurobiology and the development and maintenance of vertebrate synapses. She has extensive experience in the classroom and the use of effective teaching strategies, as well as development and implementation of curriculum redesign, and initiatives to support student success and student research. Connor has received two College Outstanding Teaching awards and the University of Massachusetts Distinguished Teaching Award. She serves as Program Director for the UMass Howard Hughes Medical Institute Inclusive Excellence Award. She earned a BS in biology from St. Lawrence University, a PhD in physiology and biophysics from the University of Vermont School of Medicine, and was a postdoctoral fellow at Stanford University School of Medicine.
Contact infoKaren Helfer
Associate Dean for Graduate, Postdoctoral, and Faculty Development
Karen Helfer is professor and former chair of the Department of Communication Disorders in the School of Public Health and Health Sciences. She was a Chancellor’s Leadership Fellow in the Office of Faculty Development during the 2019-2020 academic year. Her research program, which is funded by NIH-NIDCD, focuses on how aging affects speech perception in complex listening situations with multiple talkers. Helfer has a special interest in studying changes in speech understanding and listening effort that occur early in the aging process (i.e., in middle-aged adults) and is a fellow of the Acoustical Society of America.
Contact infoPeter Holden
Associate Dean for Administration, Finance & Operations
Peter L. Holden serves as the principal for all finance, human resource and strategic matters for the College of Natural Sciences. He came to UMass Amherst with more than 20 years of practice in academic administration, operations and research enterprises, including his work as director of facilities planning and operations at Brown University. Holden received a BS in Construction Management from Roger Williams University and an MBA from Bryant University.
Contact infoJody Jellison
Director, Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment
Assistant Vice Chancellor, Agricultural Research and Engagement
Jody Jellison joined UMass in 2016 as a Professor of Biology. Her area of research interest is in fungal biology. She is an author on over 100 publications and four patents and has significant experience in agricultural research administration. She currently serves as the Director of UMass Extension and the Director of the Massachusetts Agricultural Experiment Station. She received her BS from the University of New Hampshire and holds an MS in Plant Pathology/multivariate statistics and a PhD in Plant Virology/Biochem/Biophysics from Oregon State University. Her post-doctoral work was in immunology and molecular plant biology at Harvard University.
Contact infoMark Tuominen
Associate Dean for Research & Innovation
Mark Tuominen is a professor of physics at UMass Amherst, where he performs research in experimental condensed matter physics and nanotechnology. His work helps to advance the science and applications of nanoscale charge transport, magnetism, bioelectronics, superconductivity, self-assembly, and nanomanufacturing. He was instrumental in establishing the NSF Center for Hierarchical Manufacturing and the National Nanomanufacturing Network. Dr. Tuominen’s educational innovations are in the areas of research learning and professional development. He received a bachelor’s in chemical engineering and a PhD in physics from the University of Minnesota, and was a postdoctoral research associate at Harvard University.
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College of Natural Sciences