Frédéric Chédin, a professor and chair of the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and a renowned expert in genome biology, will be the next dean of the UC Davis College of Biological Sciences, or CBS. Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Mary Croughan selected Chédin to lead the college following a nationwide search. He will start Sept. 1.

“We were fortunate to draw an exceptional group of candidates for this role, and Fred distinguished himself as a clear standout,” Croughan said. “He is an incredible collaborator and visionary leader who has gone above and beyond in service to UC Davis. Fred is deeply committed to the success of his students, colleagues and the college, and he is uniquely positioned to lead the development and implementation of CBS’s innovative programs and initiatives.” 

Chédin was named chair of the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology in 2022. He also serves as the director of the National Institute of General Medical Sciences T32 enhanced Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, or eMCDB, Training Program at UC Davis. The dynamic training program, which he has led since 2020, brings together nearly 70 faculty from 18 academic departments to deliver interdisciplinary training in basic and translational life science research to prepare the future biomedical workforce. 

“I am deeply honored by the opportunity to serve the College of Biological Sciences and the broader UC Davis community as dean,” Chédin said. “Over the past two decades, I have developed a profound respect for the college’s faculty, staff and students, and I look forward to working collaboratively to build on our strengths and advance our mission of research, education and service.”

Prior to leading the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Chédin was chair of the Integrative Genetics and Genomics Graduate Group from 2015 to 2019. He joined CBS as an assistant professor in 2004 and was a visiting postdoctoral scholar from 1996 to 1999 at UC Davis. 

Chédin will take over from Mark Winey, the college’s longest serving dean. Winey, a distinguished professor in molecular and cellular biology, will return to faculty after two five-year terms as dean to conduct research, teach and continue projects with the Office of Research. 

“Mark has generated tremendous momentum and achieved remarkable things in the College of Biological Sciences over his decade as dean,” Croughan said. “He has an unwavering commitment to advancing teaching, research and service that has strengthened UC Davis in countless ways. Fred shares Mark’s commitment to and passion for the college, and Fred will be a fantastic leader of CBS’s next chapter.”

Chédin is a Fellow of the prestigious American Association for the Advancement of Science and a member of the Epigenetics Society and the Genetics Society of America. He holds master’s degrees in agronomy and microbiology and a doctoral degree in molecular biology from the University of Paris XI in France.