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New chairperson to diversify research in biochemistry and molecular biology






The University of Nevada, Reno has appointed Justin Legleiter as the chairperson of the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology. A prolific biochemistry researcher with two decades of studying neurological diseases, Legleiter is expected to leverage the department’s rich interdisciplinary collaboration to broaden its research across the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources and its Experiment Station unit.

Legleiter succeeds Robert Ryan, who was instrumental in building the department’s strong research foundation and expanding its outreach with secondary and post-secondary institutions. Legleiter hopes to build on these strengths to recruit a more diverse student body and enhance the department’s research capabilities to support a broader range of research projects and practical experiences.

“One of the department’s greatest strengths is its range of complementary research efforts across the College and its affiliates, offering a unique advantage for students,” he said. “The potential for innovation within these collaborations aligns perfectly with the department’s current research agenda.”

Before joining the University, Legleiter was a full professor at West Virginia University, where he served for 16 years in various teaching and leadership capacities. He was director of graduate studies and associate chair at the university’s Department of Chemistry and later led the Intercollegiate Biochemistry Program, a collaborative degree initiative within the university’s College of Arts and Sciences and College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.For more than 16 years, Legleiter’s research has focused on the clustering and interactions of disease-related proteins, including those linked to Huntington's, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. His work explores how these interactions affect protein behavior, aiming to better understand the root cause of these diseases and identify potential treatments. To support this research, he employs atomic force microscopy, a technique that can provide high-resolution images of biological surfaces. His research in biochemistry further complements the department’s strengths in water ecology, entomology, food production, and medical and plant biochemistry, areas he plans to advance to position the department as a leader in addressing critical human challenges.

With more than 60 peer-reviewed publications in journals such as Nature Chemical Biology, Nature Neuroscience, Journal of Biological Chemistry and Human Molecular Genetics, Legleiter has made significant contributions to biochemistry. He has also authored widely cited chapters in influential scientific books and protocols related to atomic force microscopy and protein aggregation.

"We are honored to welcome Justin to our department as we continue to equip our students to address the pressing health, food production and conservation challenges facing the world today," said Bill Payne, dean of the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources. "His research agenda, combined with the department’s existing strengths, will create new opportunities for collaboration and innovation, positioning our students and faculty to make impactful contributions both locally and globally."

Legleiter earned his Ph.D. in chemistry from Carnegie Mellon University before joining the Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease as a postdoctoral fellow. He also holds a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Murray State University in Kentucky.


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