Newswise — PHILADELPHIA (March 29, 2016) – Danielle R. Reed, PhD, a world-recognized expert on the behavioral genetics of taste, has been named Associate Director of the Monell Center, effective immediately.
"Dani is a highly accomplished scientist, skilled in grantsmanship, and dedicated to training scientists. In sum, she is a terrific asset to Monell. I am looking forward to continuing to work with her to the benefit of Monell's future," said Monell Director and President, Robert F. Margolskee, MD, PhD.
Looking to Monell’s 50th anniversary in 2018, Reed will work closely with Margolskee on fundraising and strategic planning to take the Center forward into its next 50 years.
“In addition to being a highly productive scientist, Dr. Reed has the keen ability to encourage and support Monell’s scientific community. Her appointment to Associate Director acknowledges and formalizes this critical leadership role,” said Monell Board Chair, Dwight Riskey, PhD.
With a successful record of bringing large infrastructure and equipment grants to Monell, Reed appreciates the opportunity to further build Monell’s capabilities. “For myself and most scientists, our most important work lies in the future - untangling the experimental knots that perplex us today,” she said. “My most important goal is to leverage my experience to help Monell’s researchers get the resources we need to conduct cutting-edge science and advance knowledge about taste and smell biology.”
Reed’s association with Monell extends back to 1998 when she arrived for two years of pre-doctoral training. After receiving her PhD in Psychology from Yale University, she completed a postdoctoral fellowship in genetics and then joined the faculty at the University of Pennsylvania. Reed returned to Monell in 2000 as a member of the faculty and was promoted to Member in 2008.
In addition to over 110 scientific publications that have significantly advanced knowledge of the role of genetics in sensory biology and perception, Reed has a distinguished record of professional and public service that includes her current positions as co-chair of Monell’s Postdoctoral Training Program and co-chair of the Grant Committee, which is responsible for matching Center scientists with funding opportunities. She has mentored numerous students from the high school to the postdoctoral level, both at Monell and at schools and universities around the world.
“Nourishing science and those who support our experimental work is the role I most relish. Rigorous and reproducible science is our every-day and in every-way goal and I look forward to carrying this national scientific focus forward,” Reed said.
The Monell Chemical Senses Center is an independent nonprofit basic research institute based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Monell advances scientific understanding of the mechanisms and functions of taste and smell to benefit human health and well-being. Using an interdisciplinary approach, scientists collaborate in the programmatic areas of sensation and perception; neuroscience and molecular biology; environmental and occupational health; nutrition and appetite; health and well-being; development, aging and regeneration; and chemical ecology and communication. For more information about Monell, visit www.monell.org.
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