Two Women Biologists Appointed to Positions as Provosts

Vanya Quinones was named provost at Pace University in New York, effective July 1. Dr. Quinones currently serves as associate provost for student success and retention at Hunter College of the City University of New York.

Dr. Quinones joined the faculty at Hunter College in 1997 as an assistant professor of psychology. She earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in cell biology from the University of Puerto Rico. Professor Quinones holds a Ph.D. in neurobiology and physiology from Rutgers University in New Jersey.

Melissa P. Taverner is the new provost and dean of the faculty at Lyon College in Batesville, Arkansas. She had been serving as an associate professor of biology at Emory & Henry College in Virginia. In her 22 years on the faculty at Emory & Henry College, she served as dean, chair of the department of biology, and chair of the Division of Natural Sciences.

Dr. Taverner earned a bachelor’s degree in biology at what is now Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Virginia. She holds a master’s degree in virology from Reading University in England and a Ph.D. in environmental science from the University of Virginia.