The Department of Biochemistry of the UT Southwestern Medical Center is actively involved in its dual mission of providing professional education and conducting cutting-edge research. The department operates at both didactic and hands-on levels to train medical students, graduate students and post-doctoral fellows in the broad field of biochemistry. The goal of the department is to perform in our educational and research objectives at a level admired by our colleagues and envied by our competitors. The department consists of 32 primary appointee faculty, 8 secondary appointee faculty, 8 instructors and 1 assistant instructor-level investigators, 76 post-doctoral fellows, 38 graduate and medical student trainees, and a professional staff of 71 full time administrators and laboratory technicians. The research pursued by this group of scientists falls into three broad categories: discovery biology, structural biology and chemistry. The common thread connecting all research within the department is the objective of resolving biological reactions, circuits and pathways at a molecular level. A distinguishing feature of the Department of Biochemistry is its dedication to the task of integrating modern research in chemistry into an institution rich in the fields of molecular biology, genetics, pharmacology, physiology, cell biology and clinical sciences.

As chairman of the Department of Biochemistry, my most keen objective is to ensure that the experience of students and staff who work within the department be exclusively intended to enhance professional opportunity. During the upcoming 5-10 years the department will expand by an additional 8 primary faculty appointees. During this expansion, we seek to attract a creative group of scientists, post-doctoral fellows, students and staff who will help drive the department to meet its goal and serve its mission within UT Southwestern Medical Center.

Steve McKnight