Interim Vice Provost for Academic Affairs
Professor of Biology
Mohamed Noor was appointed Interim Vice Provost for Academic Affairs on February 1, 2023.
A Professor of Biology, Noor served as Interim Dean of Trinity College from July 2022 through January 2023, and as Dean of Natural Sciences within Trinity College from 2019-2023.
Noor joined the Department of Biology in 2005 and served as chair from 2013-2017. His research has focused on various questions in evolutionary genetics, including what genetic changes contribute to the formation of new species, the role of genetic recombination in species formation and molecular evolution, and what and why lethal-causing gene variants persist in natural populations.
He is a recipient of the Darwin-Wallace Medal — given by the Linnean Society of London in recognition of those who have made major advances in evolutionary biology — as well as several Duke teaching and mentoring awards: the Outstanding Postdoc Mentor Award, the Alumni Distinguished Undergraduate Teaching Award, the David and Janet Vaughan Brooks Teaching Award, Bass Society of Fellows’ Earl D. McLean Professorship, the Graduate School’s Dean’s Award for Excellence in Mentoring, and the Gordon G. Hammes Faculty Teaching Award from the Duke University School of Medicine.
Noor has also served in key roles for a number of society offices, including president of the American Genetic Association, president of the Society for the Study of Evolution, and member of the board of directors for the Genetics Society of America. He has also held editorships and editorial board positions for publications such as American Naturalist, Evolution, Genetics, and PLoS Biology.
He has published two books, including “Live Long and Evolve: What Star Trek Can Teach Us about Evolution, Genetics, and Life on Other Worlds,” an entertaining introduction to genetics and evolutionary concepts (paralleling the scientific content of his Duke and Coursera classes) through the lens of the popular science-fiction television show.
Noor holds a bachelor of science degree from the College of William and Mary, and a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago.