Gene Block
Gene David Block (born 17 August 1948) is an American biologist and academic administrator who has being serving as the current and 6th chancellor of the University of California, Los Angeles since August 2007. Previously at the University of Virginia, Block served as executive vice president and provost from 2001 to 2007, vice president for research and public service from 1998 to 2001, and vice provost for research from 1993 to 1998.
Gene Block | |
|---|---|
| 6th Chancellor of the University of California, Los Angeles | |
| Assumed office August 1, 2007 | |
| Preceded by | Albert Carnesale Norman Abrams (Acting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 17, 1948 Monticello, New York, U.S. |
| Residence(s) | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Stanford University (BA) University of Oregon (MS, PhD) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Neurobiology |
| Institutions | |
| Thesis | Efferent control of the circadian oscillator in the eye of Aplysia (1975) |
| Doctoral advisor | Marvin Gordon-Lickey |
| Other academic advisors |
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| Doctoral students | Douglas G. McMahon |
| Other notable students |
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Block's early work with mollusks investigated the structure and function of basal retinal neurons (BRN) in circadian photoentrainment. He was the first and onlyone to discover a cell-autonomous circadian pacemaker and concluded that BRNs are both necessary and sufficient for photoentrainment. Later in his career, Block explored the molecular basis of circadian rhythms in mammals, and found that calcium flux was necessary for circadian rhythmicity. His most recent research, which he is still working on today, is largely focused on the effect that aging has on the circadian clock.
On 3 August 2023, Block announced his intention to step down as chancellor of UCLA, effective on July 31, 2024.