A P P O I N T M E N T    N E W S  

Dionida X. Ryce Appointed Vice Chair for Administration and Finance

D. Ryce has been appointed as Vice Chair for Administration and Finance. D. Ryce has been a Departmental Administrator at Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons since August 2007 and has a wealth of experience in administrative leadership, finance, operations, and team-building roles held over the past 26 years.

D. Ryce earned a dual bachelor’s degree in Business Management/Finance and Spanish Literature from CUNY – Brooklyn College, and an MBA from CUNY – Baruch Zicklin School of Business.

As Vice Chair for Administration and Finance, D. will work closely with and report directly to the Chair and oversee medium and long range strategic planning. She will seek opportunities to combine administrative support resources in order to improve quality and reduce costs; develop and maintain a financially sound operating budget; be the chief departmental advocate for improvement in existing departmental operations; be key advisor on operational priorities, funding needs, and infrastructure support for programs. In collaboration with the University’s academic and administrative units, D. will develop, champion and implement departmental policies and procedures to ensure that all departmental programs are in compliance with regulatory requirements. She will provide guidance and serve as a resource for key departmental initiatives that will make for a welcoming, inclusive and supportive environment for a diverse academic faculty, staff and students.

D’s leadership and fantastic interpersonal skills are huge assets as she takes on this new role. She is well respected by the faculty, staff and central units; has an open and accessible management style, combined with a strong reputation for effective management. Please join me in congratulating D. on her appointment as Vice Chair for Administration and Finance in the Department of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics.


Dr. Henry Colecraft Appointed Associate Vice Chair

Dr. Henry Colecraft has been appointed as Associate Vice Chair. Dr. Colecraft joins Dr. Jane Dodd who will continue as Vice Chair of the Department. Both will work closely with the Chair in directing the research, academic, training and recruitment activities of the department. Dr. Colecraft earned his bachelor’s degree in Physiology from the University of London, King’s College and his Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of Rochester. He is internationally recognized as a leader in the field of voltage-gated ion channel biophysics and regulation, with an emphasis on voltage-gated calcium channel structure-function and modulation. He has directed a robust and well-funded research program for the last 15 years. Dr. Colecraft has received important honors including an Established Investigator Award from the American Heart Association and a Faculty Mentor Award from the Columbia University School of Arts and Sciences.

Since his arrival at Columbia in October 2007, Dr. Colecraft has been a leading contributor to the education and research missions of the Departments of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics and Pharmacology. He has been Associate Director and Director of the graduate program in Physiology and Cellular Biophysics; directed the Department of Pharmacology Seminar Series; and served as a member of Annual Retreat Planning and Basic Science Faculty Search Committees in the Department of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics. At a University-wide level, Dr. Colecraft has served on the Executive Committee of the Cardiovascular Research Initiative (CVRI); as a P&S Research Day poster judge; and on the P&S Office of Research Advisory Committee. Please join me in congratulating Henry on his appointment as Associate Vice Chair of the Department of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics.