GAINESVILLE, Fla. — University of Florida Associate Dean for IFAS Research Douglas Archer has switched gears to pursue his passion of teaching and research in the department of food science and human nutrition.

Archer transitions back to what he considers “the best job in the University” after a full decade in the UF/IFAS Dean for Research office. With his academic background in microbiology, he plans to use his knowledge of the research interests of IFAS faculty in Gainesville and at the Research and Education Centers to help researchers with common interests collaborate in ways they otherwise would not have realized.

He also plans to continue working with the Emerging Pathogens Institute, particularly on diseases associated with food and water, to better link the science with rapidly evolving Federal policy.

By his own account, Archer took a non-traditional route to academia. After retiring from the U.S. Public Health Service as Assistant Surgeon General (O7, Rear Admiral) on Jan. 1, 1994, he began his career at the University of Florida two days later as professor and chair in the food science and human nutrition department.

His interest in academia began in graduate school as a teaching assistant and continued developing throughout his career. As he traveled the world and received numerous awards for his work, he realized that he could make the biggest practical impact in peoples’ lives through teaching and research.

“Working in the Dean for Research office has given me the opportunity to see the bigger picture of what is happening in the University,” Archer said. “Building partnerships is key.”

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By: Mary A. Eades, mary.eades@ufl.edu

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