Dean DellaPenna | |
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Born | |
Academic background | |
Education | BSc., Botanical Cellular Biology, 1984,
Ohio University PhD, 1987, University of California, Davis |
Academic work | |
Institutions |
Michigan State University University of Nevada, Reno University of Arizona |
Dean DellaPenna is an American plant biochemist. He is a university distinguished professor of biochemistry and molecular biology at Michigan State University.
DellaPenna was born in Steubenville, Ohio but raised in Wintersville, Ohio. Following high school, DellaPenna worked in a steel mill before attending Ohio University. [1] He subsequently became the first member of his family to enroll at college. After taking Botany 101 as a first year elective, he chose to pursue a career as a plant biochemist. [2] Upon graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1984, DellaPenna went on to earn his PhD at the University of California, Davis and was a postdoctoral researcher at Washington State University. [1]
Following his postdoctoral position at Washington State University, DellaPenna joined the faculty at the University of Arizona from 1990 to 1996 before moving to the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR). [1] During his tenure at UNR, DellaPenna cloned a gene in a mustard-type plant that increased its production of vitamin E in seeds. [3] [4] Following this discovery, DellaPenna was recruited to join the faculty at Michigan State University in 2000. [5]
In 2013, DellaPenna was named a university distinguished professor of biochemistry and molecular biology, the highest honor bestowed on faculty members by the university. [6] Following this, DellaPenna was also honored as an MSU Foundation Professor in recognition of his "exceptional contributions to research and instruction." [7] While serving in these roles, he was also elected a member of the National Academy of Sciences. [8]
DellaPenna has been recognized as a Pioneer Member of the American Society of Plant Biologists. [9]
Dean DellaPenna publications indexed by Google Scholar