Michael Edelbrock
Recipient of the 2010-2011
College of Sciences Faculty Chair Award

The Faculty Chair Award is an honor bestowed on a senior faculty member by the College of Sciences. The Faculty Chair must be tenured, have served the University of Findlay for a minimum of ten years, submitted a resume of accomplishments in teaching scholarship, service and selected a plan or theme for engaging Faculty , staff students and the community at large in a particular field of expertise. This year’s recipient of the Faculty Chair award is Dr. Michael Edelbrock.

Dr. Edelbrock earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from the University of Cincinnati in 1983.  From 1983-1989, he worked as an environmental, safety and health professional and traveled throughout the United States primarily setting up laboratories for chemical analysis of environmental pollutants under the EPA Superfund program. In 1990, he started his own consulting company; Environmental and Industrial Hygiene Services.
 
Edelbrock earned a Master of Science degree in Environmental Management from the University of Findlay in 1997 and joined the University of Findlay in 1997.   In 1999, Edelbrock accepted a tenure track position as an Assistant Professor of Environmental Safety and Health Management. He earned a Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences in the Molecular Basis of Disease program at the University of Toledo in 2007. Upon completion of his doctoral training in cancer genetics and mechanism at UT, he transitioned to Department of Natural Sciences and is currently a Professor of Biology. He teaches Cellular Biology, Genetics and Cancer Biology to undergraduate students.

Dr. Edelbrock’s research interest involves the molecular mechanisms of cancer. He studies the mechanisms by which the cell responds to genotoxic insult and specifically the molecular pathways that the cell uses to repair damage to its DNA. He has authored several journal articles and a book chapter on the findings of his research and he has presented his research at international, national and regional conferences. He is an active member of the Environmental Mutagen Society, Council for Undergraduate Research, the Ohio Academy of Science and Sigma Xi. Recently he was elected Treasurer of Sigma Xi Chapter 848.

Dr. Edelbrock is active on The University of Findlay campus where he serves as the Chairperson for the Assessment and Accreditation Committee. He planned and participated in the design of the Molecular Biology Labs and has been active in many other committees on campus. He assists other faculty in experimental design and promotes collaborative research projects. He is an advocate for undergraduate research as a vital component of a student’s educational experience and currently directs three major undergraduate research projects. His students routinely present their findings at The Ohio Academy of Science and Posters at the Capitol events. As the 2010/2011 Faculty Chair for the College of Sciences, he plans to focus his efforts on the importance of undergraduate research and interdisciplinary research by sponsoring workshops, seminars and invited talks.