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Michael Ibba, Ph.D.
Dr. Ibba obtained his undergraduate degree in Biochemistry from Imperial College in
London and completed his PhD in microbial biochemistry at the University of Manchester.
After graduating, he undertook both industrial and academic post-docs in Switzerland
(at Novartis and the ETH Zürich), and the US (Yale University) before establishing
his own independent research group at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark in 1998.
In 2001 he moved his lab to the Ohio State University where he taught for 19 years.
At Ohio State he rose through the ranks from Assistant to Full Professor. He also
held several key leadership roles at Ohio State, including Chair of the Microbiology
Department, Associate Director for the Infectious Disease Institute, and Co-director
of an NIH-funded graduate training program. In 2020 Dr. Ibba moved to Chapman University
where he served as the Dean of Schmid College of Science and Technology from 2020
to 2025.
He has published over 200 research articles, obtained over $15M in extramural funding
and served as editor for various scientific journals.  He has received numerous awards
and distinctions for his work, notably, the Distinguished Scholar Award at The Ohio
State University in 2019 and the Faculty Enhancement Award in the College of Arts
and Sciences in 2017 and 2020.  He was also recognized as chair of the National Science
Foundation Federal Advisory Committee for Biological Sciences from 2022 to 2025 and
is a fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology and the American Association for
the Advancement of Science. He currently chairs the American Society for Microbiology
Committee on Graduate and Postdoctoral Education.
Dr. Ibba's research focuses on understanding the mechanisms that ensure the accurate
translation of the genetic code and how changes in these processes in response to
stress impact cellular health and viability. He was also a member of the leadership
team of the National Science Foundation-funded EMergent Ecosystem Responses to ChanGE
(EMERGE) Biology Integration Institute, which integrates research, training, and high-resolution
field and laboratory measurements across 15 scientific subdisciplines and 14 institutions.
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Roles and Responsibilities of the Provost
The Provost and Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs is the University’s Chief
Academic Officer. She is a member of the President’s Senior Staff and works in close
partnership with the President, Board of Trustees, Vice Presidents, Deans, Faculty,
and Staff to ensure the institution's vitality and excellence.
Among the Provost's roles and responsibilities are:
Academic Leadership:
The Provost offers academic leadership spanning education, research, and faculty recruitment
and advancement.
Student Success:
The Provost oversees initiatives to enhance the overall student experience and supports
endeavors that boost student achievement and well-being.
Research and Scholarship:
The Provost fosters a culture of research, scholarly and creative endeavors, and promotes
external funding opportunities and partnerships that can enhance the university's
research capacity.
Curriculum and Program Development:
The Provost contributes to the design and enhancement of academic programs and curricula
that align with the university's mission.
Accreditation and Assessment:
The Provost leads efforts to maintain the university's accreditation and collaborates
with accrediting bodies to fulfill academic standards.
Academic Policies and Standards:
The Provost establishes and upholds academic policies, ensuring the integrity of
academic pursuits.
Academic Budget and Resource Management:
The Provost stewards the academic budget and allocates resources to different academic
units and initiatives, ensuring optimal resource utilization.
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