Gene D. Block

Gene D. Block
Name	Gene D. Block
Birth date	17 February 1948
Birth place	Monticello, New York, U.S.
Alma mater	Stanford University (B.S.), University of Oregon (M.S., Ph.D.)
Known for	Chancellor of UCLA, Chronobiology research
Occupation	Academic administrator, biologist
Title	Chancellor of UCLA (2007–2023)
Predecessor	Albert Carnesale
Successor	Darnell Hunt (interim)

Gene D. Block is an American academic administrator and biologist who served as the eighth chancellor of the University of California, Los Angeles from 2007 until his retirement in 2023. A prominent scholar in the field of chronobiology, his research has focused on the circadian rhythms of biological systems. During his tenure, he oversaw significant growth in UCLA's research enterprise, campus infrastructure, and global partnerships.

Early life and education

Born in Monticello, New York, he developed an early interest in science. He completed his undergraduate studies in psychology at Stanford University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree. He then pursued graduate work at the University of Oregon, where he was influenced by pioneering chronobiologists. Under the mentorship of faculty at the University of Oregon Institute of Neuroscience, he earned both a Master of Science and a Doctor of Philosophy in neuroscience, laying the foundation for his future career.

Academic career

His academic career began with a faculty appointment in the Department of Biology at the University of Virginia in 1978. He rose through the ranks, eventually serving as chair of the department and as the founding director of the university's Center for Biological Timing. His administrative skills led to his appointment as vice president and provost of the University of Virginia in 2001, where he played a key role in academic planning and faculty development before his recruitment to UCLA.

Chancellor of UCLA

Appointed chancellor in 2007, he led UCLA during a period of both ambition and challenge, including the aftermath of the Great Recession. His strategic vision, known as the UCLA Strategic Plan, emphasized academic excellence, community engagement, and operational sustainability. He presided over the successful completion of the Centennial Campaign for UCLA, which raised billions of dollars for scholarships, faculty chairs, and new facilities like the Meyer and Renee Luskin Conference Center. His tenure also saw the expansion of the UCLA Health system and strengthened ties with institutions like the California NanoSystems Institute.

Research and scientific contributions

As a principal investigator, his laboratory made seminal contributions to understanding the molecular and neural mechanisms of circadian rhythms. His work utilized model organisms like the marine mollusk Bulla gouldiana to study the cellular basis of biological clocks. He published extensively in prestigious journals such as *Science* and *Nature*, and his research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation. His findings have implications for understanding sleep disorders, jet lag, and seasonal affective disorder.

Awards and honors

His scientific and leadership contributions have been recognized with numerous accolades. He is an elected fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He has received the Presidential Rank Award for distinguished executive service in the U.S. government. Other honors include the W. Alden Spencer Award from Columbia University and an honorary doctorate from the University of Hong Kong.

Personal life

He is married and has children. An advocate for the arts, he served on the board of directors for the Los Angeles Philharmonic and supported initiatives at the Hammer Museum. Following his retirement from UCLA, he remains active in advisory roles for scientific and educational institutions.

Category:1948 births Category:American biologists Category:American university and college chancellors Category:Chancellors of the University of California, Los Angeles Category:Living people Category:People from Monticello, New York Category:Stanford University alumni Category:University of Oregon alumni