Dr. Teresa Golden named Chair of Biological Sciences at Southeastern

Press Release Date: 7-11-2011

DURANT, Okla. – Dr. Teresa Golden was recently appointed Chair of the Department of Biological Sciences at Southeastern Oklahoma State University.

Golden, associate professor of biological sciences, joined the Southeastern faculty in 2006. She holds doctorate and master’s degrees from the University of Rochester, and earned a bachelor’s degree at State University of New York at Albany.

"Dr. Golden is an outstanding faculty member who is very student-oriented," said Southeastern president Larry Minks. "In addition, she has proved to be a valuable team member in the development of our biotechnology program at Southeastern. Dr. Golden is an excellent choice to serve as a department chair and we look forward to her contributions in this important role."

"I am happy to have the opportunity to serve (as chair) on behalf of the students and the faculty,” Golden said. “The faculty and staff are all great colleagues and the diversity of the interests always keeps things interesting. We are here for the students and as much as I enjoy teaching them in the classroom and in the lab, it will be a new experience serving them as the chair as well."

Golden’s background includes extensive research in plant genetics (she received a patent for work she did in graduate school) and in cancer. Golden was a postdoctoral fellow at the College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, in Mobile, Alabama, where she had several publications.

She has continued the cancer research at Southeastern, working with several undergraduate and graduate students in a laboratory setting.

Golden is actively involved in three grants, two of which are focused on a gene that may be a potential target to stop the growth of breast cancer cells.

In addition, Golden is the coordinator for the graduate program, Masters in Technology option Biology, and serves as an advisor for the Biotechnology undergraduate degree with Dr. Nancy Paiva.