James B. Skeath, PhD

2024 Dean’s Impact Award Recipient

James B. Skeath, PhD, the longest-serving faculty program director of the 12 PhD training programs in the Roy and Diana Vagelos Division of Biology & Biomedical Sciences (DBBS), has had a sustained, unceasing, positive impact on mentorship culture at WashU Medicine. The Molecular Genetics and Genomics Program has thrived under his leadership, consistently named in the top five to 10 training programs in genetics in the country, with a matriculation rate well above the average DBBS program. Long-term data show a clear correlation between these important metrics and Skeath’s assumption of leadership in 2006. In his role as program director, Skeath has advised and counseled numerous trainees, sometimes through very difficult circumstances. He fosters a growth mindset in all his trainees and closely follows their trajectories after graduation. His approach is personal and direct. Many of his trainees have gone on to leadership positions in academia, industry, government and other sectors. His passion for fostering the next generation of diverse scientists is also represented by his leadership in multiple impactful undergraduate and high school programs.