Entomology Professor Barbara Thorne to Head New Biological Sciences Graduate Program

Wed, Jun 24, 2009

Professor Barbara Thorne, University of Maryland Department of Entomology Professor Barbara Thorne's research centers on the biology of social insects, focusing on evolution, genetics, population biology, and behavioral ecology of termites. She also holds four patents related to her applied work on integrated pest management.
Professor Barbara L. Thorne, Department of Entomology, will be the Founding Director of the College’s Graduate Program in the Biological Sciences (BISI). She will also serve on the College’s Academic Executive Leadership Team as Director of BISI.

Dr. Thorne holds a B.A. in Biology from Brown University, and M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in Organismal and Evolutionary Biology from Harvard University, where her dissertation advisor was E.O. Wilson. Her basic research centers on the biology of social insects, focusing on evolution, genetics, population biology, and behavioral ecology of termites. She also holds four patents related to her applied work on integrated pest management.

She has held numerous leadership positions, including Director of the University Honors Program for the past five years. This premier program serves over 3400 undergraduate students with exceptional academic talent. In this position, she worked with students from all majors, faculty from all disciplines, and the senior administration of all colleges and the university on curriculum, budget, recruitment, admissions, scholarships, parents, housing, fundraising, and facilities. During her term as Director, both the size and quality of the program increased substantially.  

Other leadership roles have included: President of the Cambridge Entomological Club (1981-2); President, North America Section, International Union for the Study of Social Insects (1996); Member, Expert International Advisory Group on Termite Biology and Management for the United Nations (1999-present); and Member, American Society of Zoologists Committee on Declining Biodiversity (1990-92).  Within the College, she has taken on two challenging assignments: Director of the Biological Sciences Program from 1999 to 2001 and Chair of the Faculty Steering Committee for the Review of Undergraduate Academic and Advising Programs in 2001.

Professor Thorne has an unequivocal commitment to excellence, broad intellectual and scientific perspectives, extensive experience and demonstrated success in both leadership and management, and an outstanding record of mentoring students at all levels.