Appointments and Promotions Committee (BMB APC)

The goal of this section is to provide a single entry point for:

1. An introduction to the different Administrative and Academic Classifications of Mayo Faculty.
2. Information on the members of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Academic Appointments and Promotions Committee.
3. How to request new or changed Academic Rank credentials (e.g., Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Professor) in the fields of Biochemistry/Molecular Biology.
4. Information about requesting a Joint Appointment in BMB.
5. Gaining information about ongoing BMB department activities relevant to faculty requesting joint appointments in BMB.
6. Information about the process of consultant-track promotions.
7. A summary flow chart.

Administrative and academic classifications of Mayo Faculty

Although confusing, it is important to understand that Mayo Faculty are simultaneously classified according to four different systems:

Administrative appointment (e.g., Associate Consultant, Senior Associate Consultant, Consultant)

These Board-approved appointments are unique to Mayo Foundation, and determine salary. Promotion through the administrative ranks is initiated by the candidate and the Chair of the home department. In the BMB Department, this process initiates with the BMB APC (described below), and requires a vote of the BMB department faculty.

Academic rank (e.g., Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Professor)

Academic rank represents an endorsement and certification of experience and expertise within a discipline of science or medicine. Academic rank is based on criteria (described below) that do not imply participation in any particular department or program. In fact, academic rank can be granted in fields (e.g., computer science) where no corresponding department exists at Mayo. The process for requesting academic rank in the fields of Biochemistry/Molecular Biology initiates with the BMB APC and is described below. Academic rank decisions do not involve a vote of the BMB department faculty.

Joint appointment

A joint appointment in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology may be requested by faculty who intend to participate in an ongoing manner in the life of the BMB department, including academic and administrative activities, as well as teaching. The merit of requests for joint appointment will be determined by the BMB APC. Mayo tradition is that faculty typically may hold a single joint appointment outside of their home department. The process for requesting a joint appointment in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology initiates with the BMB APC and is described below. Joint appointment decisions do not typically involve a vote of the BMB department faculty.

Graduate School privileges

The privilege of participating in graduate education (both formal teaching and supervision of graduate students) requires formal documentation of credentials and certification. Requests for Mayo Graduate School privileges initiate through the BMB Education Committee. For more information, contact Dr. David Katzmann.

BMB Appointments and Promotions Committee

• Jen Westendorf, Ph.D. (Rochester, AAPC Chair)
• Dev Mukhopadhyay, Ph.D. (Rochester)
• Don Tindall, Ph.D. (Rochester)
• Zhiguo Zhang, Ph.D. (Rochester)
• Sherry Linander (Rochester, secretary)

The BMB APC advises the BMB chair on consultant-track promotions, granting of academic rank and requests for joint appointments.

Requests for academic rank in Biochemistry/Molecular Biology

Academic rank in Biochemistry/Molecular Biology does not reflect or imply participation or membership in the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, but affirms credentials and experience in these fields of study. Faculty wishing to obtain academic rank (e.g., Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Full Professor) in the fields of Biochemistry/Molecular Biology, should refer to the institutional web site for the Mayo Rochester staff policy manual (available only to Mayo Clinic employees via the Intranet).

In the case of proposals for Assistant Professor academic rank in the fields of biochemistry and molecular biology, the candidate should demonstrate a prospective academic trajectory with achievement of a Ph.D., M.D., or both; and documentation of a strategy for continued academic development. This information should be included in a cover letter to BMB AAPC, typically from a senior proponent.

After reviewing these guidelines and assembling the required materials, the request is typically initiated by forwarding a cover letter and C.V. (review required format) as email attachments to Dr. Jen Westendorf. An initial letter of support from a Mayo sponsor may be appropriate in this initial step. The BMB APC will then process the request. If the request for academic rank is granted at the BMB APC, this electronic documentation is forwarded to the institutional committee for review.

Note that the format of the paperwork is critically important to the institutional committee, so attention to details provided at the web site saves time. If approved by the Institutional APC, the request passes to the Foundation Education Committee and then to the Mayo Board of Trustees.

Requests for joint appointment in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Unlike Academic Rank, a request for Joint Appointment in BMB reflects the desire of a faculty member to engage actively in the academic, administrative, and educational life of the department. Requests for Joint Appointment are made according to guidelines set forth by the institution.

After reviewing these guidelines, and assembling the needed materials, the request is typically initiated by forwarding a cover letter and C.V. as a digital attachment to Dr. Jen Westendorf. The cover letter must state familiarity with BMB departmental activities (see section) and explain the enthusiasm for ongoing participation in these activities. Support letters (as digital email attachments) from the BMB Chair, Jan van Deursen, and the Chair of the Administrative home department are also required.

The BMB APC will then process the request before it is forwarded to the Personnel Committee of the Mayo Board of Governors.

Faculty considering Joint Appointment in BMB should study the next section, which introduces some facets of the academic, administrative and educational aspects of BMB.

Ongoing BMB departmental activities

Individuals requesting academic appointments in BMB will presumably be enthusiastically participating in one (preferably more) of the following ongoing departmental activities. Mailing list contacts are provided.

BMB Seminar Series

Tuesdays, 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. (during the academic year). Guggenheim south lecture hall. Intramural and extramural guest speakers of interest to BMB. The BMB Series is under the guidance of Dr. Frank Brozovich. Contact Megan E. Crouch to be added to the mailing list.

BMB Seminar Series

BMB Journal Club

Thursdays, 11 a.m. to noon (during the academic year). Guggenheim 1598. BMB faculty and graduate students discuss eclectic literature selections. The BMB Journal Club is under the direction of Dr. Marina Ramirez-Alvarado. Contact Kristi Simmons for information or to be added to the mailing list.

BMB Workshop

Wednesdays, noon-1 p.m. (during the academic year). Guggenheim Kendall-Hench Hall. A series of "works in progress" presentations for BMB graduate students. Presentations are often coupled with subsequent supervisory committee meetings. BMB Workshop is directed by Dr. Emanuel Strehler and Dr. David Katzmann. Contact Colleen Allen for information or to be added to the mailing list.

BMB Teaching in Mayo Graduate School

BMB faculty participate in teaching the MGS core courses and departmental tutorial courses. Please contact course directors directly to express your interest in participation. The chair of the BMB education committee is Dr. David Katzmann.

Requests for consultant-track promotion

Requests for promotion to Senior Associate Consultant or Consultant are initiated by the candidate and the BMB Chair. Follow the process as described in detail.

After reviewing these guidelines, meeting with the Chair and assembling the initial materials, the request is typically initiated by forwarding a cover letter and CV as a digital attachment to Dr. Jen Westendorf. The BMB APC processes the initial request.

Summary flow chart

Flow Chart for Mayo Foundation Appointments:

Consultant
BMB APC >> Research Committee >> Board of Governors Personnel Committee

Academic Rank
BMB APC >> Institutional Academic Appointments Committee >> Foundation Education Committee >> Board of Trustees (for accreditation purposes)

Graduate School Privileges
BMB Education Committee >> Graduate School Education Committee

Joint Appointments
BMB APC Department 2 >> Board of Governors Personnel Committee