M. Christine McGahan (2017-2022)

M. Christine McGahan was named dean of the College of Sciences in 2017. She has played an instrumental role in advancing the college’s teaching, research and innovation efforts, including the interdisciplinary Genetics and Genomics Initiative, a forerunner of the universitywide Genetics and Genomics Academy. She led the development of the College of Sciences’ first strategic plan and helped the college raise $71 million during the Think and Do the Extraordinary campaign, $11 million above the campaign goal.

McGahan joined the College of Veterinary Medicine in 1983 and served as head of the Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences for 14 years prior to her deanship. Her research career has revolved around the fields of ocular physiology and pharmacology, with a focus on studying the biochemistry of the ocular lens and retina. For more than 30 years, she has been funded by a National Institutes of Health Research Project Grant.

McGahan was named one of NC State’s 125 Transformational Women by the Council on the Status of Women, and was part of the university’s inaugural Research Leadership Academy class. She is also past president of the International Society for Eye Research and co-authored a 10-year plan for the National Eye Institute (2010-2020).