UC Davis Acting Chancellor Ralph J. Hexter has named Ken Burtis as acting provost, following approval from the UC Office of the President.
 
Burtis, a professor of genetics and past dean of the College of Biological Sciences, has served as faculty adviser to the chancellor and provost since 2011. In that role, Burtis served as a liaison with key campus constituencies and had a lead role in the 2020 Initiative, which involved strategic planning for campus growth, including enrollment management, facilities planning and academic resources.
 

“I am delighted that Ken will be serving in the role of acting provost at this critical moment,” Hexter said. “Ken has a long history with UC Davis, having been here as a student, a staff member, a professor and an administrator. He is already very engaged in many of our most important projects.”
 
Hexter served as UC Davis provost and executive vice chancellor until being appointed acting chancellor by UC President Janet Napolitano on April 27, 2016.
 
Burtis was the first dean of the College of Biological Sciences. Prior to his appointment as dean, he served as chair of the Genetics Graduate Group, vice-chair of the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, associate director of the UC Davis Genome Center, and associate dean for Undergraduate Academic Programs in the College of Biological Sciences.
 
“I am deeply committed to UC Davis and am honored to be able to serve the campus and its outstanding students, staff and faculty in this role,” said Burtis.
 
Burtis earned his bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and biophysics from UC Davis, and his doctorate in biochemistry from Stanford University.