SFSU Biology Professor Receives CSU Biotech Service Award


West Marin resident honored for outstanding contributions to biotechnology

San Francisco State University biology Professor Frank Bayliss has received the 2003 Andreoli Biotechnology Service Award from the California State University Program for Education and Research in Biotechnology (CSUPERB). The award honors outstanding contributions to the development of biotechnology in California. Bayliss received the award Jan. 10 at the CSU’s 15th Annual Biotechnology Symposium in Pomona, Calif.

In his more than 25 years teaching at SFSU, Bayliss established the campus’ first genetic engineering research laboratory, taught a range of undergraduate and graduate courses in biology and microbiology, and supervised more than 30 masters’ theses.

Bayliss established SFSU’s Student Enrichment Opportunities office in 1992 to enhance the education and research experiences of undergraduate and graduate biology and chemistry students. Since that time, he has secured more than $32 million in federal grants and funds to create a milieu that supports learning about the sciences and scientific research.

“I can think of no one more deserving of the Andreoli Award than Frank Bayliss,” said John Hafernik, professor and chair of Biology at SFSU. “He has devoted his career to providing opportunities for nontraditional students and to increasing the representation of women and under-represented minorities in science.”

Bayliss was chosen from among all faculty in the 23-campus CSU system who have been tenured or on tenure-track for at least five years. He is the second SFSU faculty member to win the award in its 12-year history. The late Crellin Pauling, SFSU Biology Department chair from 1982 to 1992, was honored in 1998 in recognition of his long service and immense contributions to biotechnology education.

The award is named after the late Dr. Anthony Andreoli, a CSU Los Angeles chemistry professor who believed CSU has a special role to play in higher education by providing opportunities to nontraditional students who otherwise would have fewer options for advancement.

The California State University Program for Education and Research in Biotechnology (CSUPERB) was created in 1987 to provide vision, leadership, and support for biotechnology education and research throughout the CSU. CSUPERB promotes the development of biotechnology in California by coordinating bioscience research, and education within the CSU, fostering economic and workforce development, and catalyzing technology transfer.

Contact: Ellen Griffin (415) 405-3803; (415) 338-1665; elleng@sfsu.edu