Dr. Poodry is a biologist turned scientific administrator with research expertise in developmental genetics. He had a 22-year research and teaching career in cell biology and developmental genetics in
Drosophila at the University of California, Santa Cruz, prior to joining NIGMS. At NIGMS, Poodry serves as director of the
Division of Minority Opportunities in Research, where he oversees the administration of grants designed to increase the number and capabilities of minority biomedical scientists. These grants support a variety of activities, including research training, infrastructure improvement, curriculum enrichment, and laboratory research at minority institutions.
Poodry was a member of the Smithsonian Council from 1997-2003. He served as vice-chairperson of the National Research Council Committee on the High School Biology Curriculum in U.S. schools (1988-1990) and was a recipient of a National Science Foundation grant to provide training activities to teachers at American Indian schools (1988-1990). He has been a workshop leader for teacher training activities with the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) since 1990.
Poodry is a native of the Tonawanda Seneca Indian Reservation in western New York. He has twice been elected to the Board of Directors of the Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science. He is a former board member of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society and a 1995 recipient of its highest award, the Ely S. Parker Award, for lifelong accomplishments in science and contributions to the American Indian community. Poodry received an honorary doctorate of science from The State University of New York at Buffalo in 1999.
Poodry has particular interest in science education and issues pertaining to American Indian participation in genetics research. He is the author of over 40 scientific papers and book chapters.
