Marine Biologist, Historian Accept Tenure Offers

A marine biologist and an Ottoman history specialist have accepted tenure offers from the Faculty of Arts and Sciences.

The University recruited Stephen R. Palumbi from the University of Hawaii to join the Organismic and Evolutionary Biology Department and promoted Associate Professor of History Cemal Kafadar to full professor.

"I think [Palumbi] will bring an important new dimension to biology at Harvard," said Professor of Biology Andrew H. Knoll.

Reached by telephone in his office at the University of Hawaii yesterday, Palumbi said he was looking forward to his new job.

"It's a very exciting prospect," Palumbi said. "We're delighted to be able to come and set up shop there."

Palumbi's specialty is in the ecology and evolution of marine animals, and he has been innovative in using molecular techniques in areas of marine biology, according to Knoll.

"He really makes a good fit of a number of our programs," Knoll said. "He's done [research] in a most compelling way."

Palumbi has also done research on marine conservation. According to Knoll, Palumbi has developed a technique for the molecular fingerprinting of whale meat, which would help in enforcing international laws against whale hunting.

Palumbi said he is interested in teaching a Core course on evolutionary biology and a more advanced biology course on "using molecular biology to understand the world's oceans."

"A lot of marine biology isn't sort of Jacques Cousteau-ish anymore," Palumbi said. "It still is quite a bit adventurous, but you have to use high-tech equipment to look around."

Despite the dramatic difference between the New England and South Pacific ecosystems, Palumbi said the move will not disrupt his research.

"The work is basically global," he said.

Palumbi said he will examine the marine biology on the New England coast.

He isn't worried about braving the cold weather either.

"It's beautiful here," Palumbi said. "But it's beautiful in Boston too."

Kafadar

History professors praised Kafadar yesterday as an accomplished researcher and popular instructor.

For years, Kafadar has taught Historical Study A-40: "The Middle East and Europe Since the Crusades: Relations and Perceptions." He received a 4.3 in the 1995-96 CUE Guide, and the course earned a 4.0 out of five.

"He's been a wonderful teacher in the department and Core classes and I am sure he will continue to teach in both those areas, but also to add to the graduate field," said Professor William C. Kirby, chair of the History Department.

Kafadar has been an associate professor of history at Harvard since 1990, and has taught at Princeton University and Koc University in Istanbul.

"He's a wonderfully broad and deep scholar," Kirby said.

"He's a great addition, not just in terms of what he adds to the department, but in the way he adds to historical approach in general," Kirby said.

"He approaches [the Ottoman Empire] both from its origins and, from a fresh way, its decline," said Kirby.

Born in Istanbul, Kafadar received his bachelor's degree from Hamilton College, and his master's and doctoral degrees from McGill University in Canada.

Kafadar has received, among others, the Rockefeller Fellowship, Aga Khan Fellowship and the Bindra Fellowship.

Kafadar is also currently a member of the Standing Committees for both Inner Asian Studies and the Center for Middle Eastern Studies.

The newly-tenured scholar could not be reached for comment yesterday

"He's been a wonderful teacher in the department and Core classes and I am sure he will continue to teach in both those areas, but also to add to the graduate field," said Professor William C. Kirby, chair of the History Department.

Kafadar has been an associate professor of history at Harvard since 1990, and has taught at Princeton University and Koc University in Istanbul.

"He's a wonderfully broad and deep scholar," Kirby said.

"He's a great addition, not just in terms of what he adds to the department, but in the way he adds to historical approach in general," Kirby said.

"He approaches [the Ottoman Empire] both from its origins and, from a fresh way, its decline," said Kirby.

Born in Istanbul, Kafadar received his bachelor's degree from Hamilton College, and his master's and doctoral degrees from McGill University in Canada.

Kafadar has received, among others, the Rockefeller Fellowship, Aga Khan Fellowship and the Bindra Fellowship.

Kafadar is also currently a member of the Standing Committees for both Inner Asian Studies and the Center for Middle Eastern Studies.

The newly-tenured scholar could not be reached for comment yesterday