Spring Break
Incoming director brings passion to biomedical sciences
Crouch, a former A&M student, became chief of the program after researching genetics, cancer
By: Laura Swift
Issue date: 4/14/08 Section: News
The Department of Biomedical Sciences is the largest degree-granting program at Texas A&M and encompasses around 2,000 undergrads. For the first time in its 30-year history, A&M's College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences has a woman as its director.
Dr. Elizabeth Crouch became director Feb. 1, after serving as associate director for the Department of Biomedical Sciences.
An Aggie, Crouch received her bachelor's degree in biotechnology in 1991 from A&M, her Ph.D. in genetics in 1996 from A&M and did post-doctoral work for four years at the M.D. Anderson cancer research center in Smithville, Texas.
Crouch's duties as director include administrative oversight, conducting meetings and handling appeals. Despite more administrative duties, she is involved with the students and stays active in all areas of the department.
She teaches BIMS 320, a genetics class, and serves as an academic adviser, which she said she enjoys.
"I love academic advising," Crouch said. "This new role hasn't changed my relationship with the students."
Crouch said she enjoys advising because she likes face-to-face interaction with people.
Steven Maher, a junior biomedical sciences major advised by Crouch, said, "She is extremely helpful and will stop what she's doing to help her student. She goes out of her way to make your schedule work."
Maher said that Crouch helped him set up his minor, and has been able to force him into classes.
When Crouch came to work at the Department of Biomedical Sciences in 2001, she was an academic adviser before becoming associate director, so she has not lost her footing with the new position.
After researching at M.D. Anderson, Crouch said she wanted to be back in academia, which is what inspired her to return to A&M.
"I have a real love for what I study, especially genetics," Crouch said. "I am interested in human interaction and people's gifts, and teaching people about personal interaction. It is important for students to know the ethics of human interaction."
Dr. Elizabeth Crouch became director Feb. 1, after serving as associate director for the Department of Biomedical Sciences.
An Aggie, Crouch received her bachelor's degree in biotechnology in 1991 from A&M, her Ph.D. in genetics in 1996 from A&M and did post-doctoral work for four years at the M.D. Anderson cancer research center in Smithville, Texas.
Crouch's duties as director include administrative oversight, conducting meetings and handling appeals. Despite more administrative duties, she is involved with the students and stays active in all areas of the department.
She teaches BIMS 320, a genetics class, and serves as an academic adviser, which she said she enjoys.
"I love academic advising," Crouch said. "This new role hasn't changed my relationship with the students."
Crouch said she enjoys advising because she likes face-to-face interaction with people.
Steven Maher, a junior biomedical sciences major advised by Crouch, said, "She is extremely helpful and will stop what she's doing to help her student. She goes out of her way to make your schedule work."
Maher said that Crouch helped him set up his minor, and has been able to force him into classes.
When Crouch came to work at the Department of Biomedical Sciences in 2001, she was an academic adviser before becoming associate director, so she has not lost her footing with the new position.
After researching at M.D. Anderson, Crouch said she wanted to be back in academia, which is what inspired her to return to A&M.
"I have a real love for what I study, especially genetics," Crouch said. "I am interested in human interaction and people's gifts, and teaching people about personal interaction. It is important for students to know the ethics of human interaction."
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