Professor of anthropology J. Josh Snodgrass has been named the new associate vice provost for undergraduate studies.
Snodgrass is charged with building and directing a Center for Undergraduate Excellence, coordinating with campus partners and offices within the Division of Undergraduate Studies to provide central campus leadership for advanced academic opportunities for undergraduates. He also will help coordinate the Undergraduate Symposium this year, one of the premier ways undergraduates can showcase their research.
“It’s a really important time for the university, and I feel like this position gives me the opportunity to help elevate the level of undergraduate research on campus by coordinating our efforts and finding new ways to support students and their faculty mentors,” Snodgrass said.
Snodgrass comes to the position with extensive research and leadership experience. As a biological anthropologist specializing in human evolutionary biology and global health, he directs an immunology and endocrinology laboratory focused on the development and application of minimally invasive techniques, such as using dried blood spots or saliva, for assessing health and physiology in population-based research.
During his 10 years at the UO, Snodgrass has established an outstanding record in undergraduate education. He served for six years on the UO Undergraduate Council, including serving two years as the council’s chair.
He has been honored for his teaching and mentoring. He was named a Williams Fellow in recognition of distinguished undergraduate teaching and received the UO Outstanding Faculty Advisor Award and a faculty advising award from the National Academic Advising Association.
“Josh is a triple threat: a brilliant researcher, teacher and faculty mentor,” said Lisa Freinkel, vice provost for undergraduate studies. “His work and lab have served dozens of undergraduates in the past several years, providing a wealth of opportunities in undergraduate engaged learning and research. We’re thrilled to bring his experience to the broader campus community.”
Widely published, Snodgrass has been elected as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, given the Michael A. Little Early Career Award by the Human Biology Association, and recognized by The Scientist as a Scientist to Watch.
Snodgrass has spearheaded community engagement through events like the biannual Huerto de la Familia health fairs, opportunities for data collection and lab staffing, and occasions for mentored original research. In addition to the students he’s mentored independently, Snodgrass also created research opportunities for students in his department through an innovative program that supports undergraduate research by training and funding graduate student mentors.