Incoming director brings passion to biomedical sciences

Crouch, a former A&M student, became chief of the program after researching genetics, cancer

By: Laura Swift

Posted: 4/14/08

The Department of Biomedical Sciences is the largest degree-granting program at Texas A&M and encompasses around 2,000 undergrads. For the first time in its 30-year history, A&M's College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences has a woman as its director.

Dr. Elizabeth Crouch became director Feb. 1, after serving as associate director for the Department of Biomedical Sciences.

An Aggie, Crouch received her bachelor's degree in biotechnology in 1991 from A&M, her Ph.D. in genetics in 1996 from A&M and did post-doctoral work for four years at the M.D. Anderson cancer research center in Smithville, Texas.

Crouch's duties as director include administrative oversight, conducting meetings and handling appeals. Despite more administrative duties, she is involved with the students and stays active in all areas of the department.

She teaches BIMS 320, a genetics class, and serves as an academic adviser, which she said she enjoys.

"I love academic advising," Crouch said. "This new role hasn't changed my relationship with the students."

Crouch said she enjoys advising because she likes face-to-face interaction with people.

Steven Maher, a junior biomedical sciences major advised by Crouch, said, "She is extremely helpful and will stop what she's doing to help her student. She goes out of her way to make your schedule work."

Maher said that Crouch helped him set up his minor, and has been able to force him into classes.

When Crouch came to work at the Department of Biomedical Sciences in 2001, she was an academic adviser before becoming associate director, so she has not lost her footing with the new position.

After researching at M.D. Anderson, Crouch said she wanted to be back in academia, which is what inspired her to return to A&M.

"I have a real love for what I study, especially genetics," Crouch said. "I am interested in human interaction and people's gifts, and teaching people about personal interaction. It is important for students to know the ethics of human interaction."

As an undergraduate, Crouch was not initially interested in studying biomedical sciences.

"I looked at geophysics and astronomy, and a few other places before choosing biomedical sciences," Crouch said. "It was a tossup between biomedical sciences and biology.

"My grandfather knew the director of biomedical sciences at that time, so the college was like a safety net, and Dr. Alvin Prize, the director at the time was so welcoming."

Crouch has continued the tradition of welcoming students into the program through her interaction with them.

During the summers, Crouch helps organize a vet enrichment camp for high school students to show them what vet school is like at A&M.

In addition to the camp, Crouch is involved with other programs that she said she hopes will bring in good students to the biomedical sciences program.

"We have something called a two plus two agreement with 11 junior colleges that helps students transfer into the BIMS program," Crouch said. "As director, I want to continue that program.

"We also have a strong study abroad program in Germany, and have students involved in the Academy of Public Leaders at the Bush school. I want to expand on these programs."

Crouch encourages students to be well-rounded and make sure to retain personal interaction with others.

Crouch said that for students who are thinking about pursuing a major, the most important aspect is to be happy. "Some students are afraid to change their majors if they are unhappy with it, but it is important to study within one's gifts," she said.

Crouch has pursued happiness in her career, which has worked out well in other areas of her life.

"I didn't think I would like living in College Station after graduating, but it grows on you," Crouch said. "The whole town has Aggie Spirit, and I like the pace of the college town. It has a good rhythm."

Crouch has three daughters and said she is pleased with the school system in College Station.

"There are good sports events and things around town to do," Crouch said. "It's a nice place to raise a family."

Being an Aggie runs in the family for Crouch, who had a grandfather and uncle both graduate with veterinary medicine degrees, along with a sister and cousin who have graduated.