KU College awards Baumgartner Professorship in Biology

LAWRENCE — The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences at the University of Kansas has announced the inaugural award of the Baumgartner Professorship in Biology to Paulyn Cartwright, Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology.

Cartwright is known for her contributions to research, teaching and service at the university. Her work with collaborators on evolutionary convergence in the origin of the eye in jellyfish was recently awarded a major grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF), and among other funding, she was previously an awardee of the prestigious NSF Career Award for early career scientists.

The Baumgartner Professorship is named for Professor William J. Baumgartner, professor of zoology at KU from 1905 to 1948.

“I am honored and grateful for this recognition," Cartwright said. "It is especially meaningful because it is named after an early KU zoologist that exhibited sustained dedication and commitment to this institution. I look forward to carrying on the legacy of this professorship.”

Cartwright has published her work in prestigious scientific journals such as the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and Nature. Her contributions to teaching have been recognized with the Louise Byrd Graduate Educator Award and most recently by the Ned Fleming Award for Excellence in Teaching from KU. Cartwright’s service contributions are extensive and wide-ranging, and they include service as a program director for the Division of Integrative Organismal Systems at NSF, as well as her ongoing service as the director for the Office for Diversity in Science Training, where she leads the coordination and management of underrepresented student programs in science at KU.