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​Dr. Anna L. Jacobsen, Professor of Biology, is an exemplary scholar, teacher, and university citizen. Dr. Jacobsen has been served on many university committees and boards. In particular, she is recognized for her leadership and service as a member of the Academic Senate, Faculty Affairs Committee, and CSUB Foundation Board, where she has been a strong voice for faculty in university decision-making and a champion of the university in the larger community. She also has an outstanding scholarship record and, as a research mentor and Biology Graduate Program Director, has inspired and empowered students to strive for excellence in their studies in the biological sciences. She is currently serving as co-Director for the CSUB Title Vb program to support graduate program excellence in the sciences.Dr. Jacobsen’s core research focuses on plant vascular structure and function.  This is an integrative and interdisciplinary field requiring her to be an expert in microscopy, plant anatomy, evolution, and plant physiology.  She has used a comparative community approach to test long standing questions in plant evolution and ecology, with a focus on California native plants.  Dr. Jacobsen has also studied key crop plants like grapevine and olive, examining their vascular function in the context of irrigation, productivity, and pathogens.