Department of Genetics

Department of Genetics
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1930s

1930 Genetics curriculum established

Genetics curriculum was taught as a component of coursework in the agronomy, zoology, and plant pathology departments.

1950s

1951 Department of Genetics established

The Department of Genetics was established and located in Winston Hall. For historical records, see the online collection guide.

View of Winston Hall from across Hillsborough StreetView of Winston Hall from across Hillsborough Street
1952 Department of Genetics moved

The Department of Genetics moved to Gardner Hall.

Gardner HallGardner Hall
1956 First woman received PhD

Patricia Ann Sarvella became the first woman to receive a PhD degree at State College from the Department of Genetics.

1958 Genetics nursery established
1958 First African American academic staff member hired

The first African American woman hired as an academic staff member, Justina Williams, worked in the Department of Genetics's drosophila research lab. Many African Americans worked at State prior to Williams's appointment, however, they primarily worked in custodial or food service positions.

Justina Williams conducting genetics researchJustina Williams conducting genetics research

1960s

1967 First faculty member elected to NAS

Stanley G. Stephens became the first faculty member elected to the National Academy of Sciences.

Stanley G. Stephens, Professor of GeneticsStanley G. Stephens, Professor of Genetics
01/1967 First Japanese woman graduated with doctorate

Tomoko Ohta graduated in 1967 with a PhD in genetics and was the first Japanese woman to receive a doctorate at NC State. Her dissertation chair was Professor Ken-ichi Kojima. Ohta previously obtained her master's degree in genetics in 1965.

07/1967 Dr. Terumi Mukai joined genetics department

In July of 1967, Dr. Terumi Mukai was hired in the Department of Genetics as Associate Professor. After the departure of Dr. Kojima, he oversaw the fruit fly gene mutation program in the genetics lab where Justina Williams worked as a research assistant.

1970s

1977 Department of Genetics History

Carey Bostian wrote Development of the Department of Genetics, North Carolina State University, 1924-1976. A print edition exists in the library.

1990s

1999 Genomic science degrees offered

NC State became one of the first land-grant universities to offer master's and doctoral degrees in genomic science.