Announcement from Laura Lawson, SEBS Executive Dean and NJAES Executive Director Dear SEBS & NJAES community, I’m delighted to announce that Dr. Josh Kohut, Professor in the Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences, has accepted the position of SEBS Dean of Research/NJAES Director of Research, effective January 1, 2025. Please join me in congratulating him […]
Animal Sciences Professor Mike Westendorf to Retire after 31 Years at Rutgers
Dr. Mike Westendorf, Animal Sciences Extension Specialist and Professor, retired on January 1, 2025, after 31 years at the Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences. Dr. Westendorf grew up on a small dairy farm in Idaho before studying animal science at the University of Idaho as an undergraduate, then earning his PhD at the […]
Announcement: Thomas Grothues Appointed Director of the Rutgers University Marine Field Station
Announcement by Oscar Schofield, Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Department Marine and Coastal Sciences Congratulations to Thomas Grothues on being appointed Director of the Rutgers University Marine Field Station (RUMFS), effective January 2025. We could not have a better new director as the station anchors Rutgers’ bold marine research, conservation and technology development being based at […]
Announcement: Appreciating Greg DiLalo’s Career at Rutgers
Announcement by Mazen Shehat, Senior Associate Dean for Finance and Administration. Dear SEBS and NJAES Community, We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Greg DiLalo as he prepares to embark on a well-deserved retirement. Greg’s extraordinary dedication to Rutgers University spans decades, reflecting a deep personal and professional commitment. His connection to the institution began over […]
Thomas Leustek to retire after four decades at Rutgers
Thomas Leustek, professor of plant biology, will retire next semester after more than forty years at Rutgers University, including a bachelor’s and doctorate in 1981 and 1987, respectively, followed by decades of research, instruction, and administration. After completing his Ph.D. Leustek went on to perform postdoctoral research at the Roche Institute of Molecular Biology’s […]
Announcement: Wendie Cohick is the New Vice Provost for Research at Rutgers-New Brunswick
Announcement from Laura Lawson, SEBS Executive Dean and NJAES Executive Director Dear SEBS & NJAES community, Please join me in congratulating Wendie Cohick, who will step into the role of Vice Provost for Research in January 2025! It has been a pleasure working with Wendie for the past four and a half years. We came […]
Announcement: Appreciating Peggy Brennan-Tonetta’s 28-year Career at Rutgers
Announcement from Laura Lawson, SEBS Executive Dean and NJAES Executive Director Dear SEBS & NJAES Community, After a rich and rewarding career of 28 years with Rutgers, Margaret (Peggy) Brennan-Tonetta has announced her intention to retire at the beginning of the new year. Please join me in congratulating Peggy and celebrating her many accomplishments. Peggy […]
Announcement: Lia Papathomas Appointed Director of External Relations and Strategic Initiatives
Announcement from Laura Lawson, SEBS Executive Dean and NJAES Executive Director Dear SEBS & NJAES community, I am delighted to announce that Lia Papathomas is joining the SEBS/NJAES Executive Dean’s office on November 18, 2024, to serve as Director of External Relations and Strategic Initiatives. This is a new position to support government and stakeholder […]
Announcement: Strategies to Bring Rutgers Gardens to the Core of Cook Campus
Announcement by SEBS Executive Dean, Laura Lawson. Dear Colleagues, Rutgers Gardens is a beloved space on campus that offers many opportunities for education, engagement, and enjoyment. The Rutgers Gardens strategic vision planning process is steadily moving forward, and we’ll have more to share in the coming months. Many of the stakeholders contributing feedback so far […]
Announcement: Claudia Urdanivia is a new RCE Agent in Essex County
Announcement from Nicholas Polanin, chair and State ANR Program Leader. Please help me extend a warm welcome Claudia Urdanivia, who begins her career on August 1 with RCE in the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) as County Agent III, Assistant Professor in urban agriculture and community horticulture in Essex County. Formerly a Senior […]










