BBE Welcomes Joan Sullivan as New Division Operations Officer

Joan Sullivan, a 31-year member of the professional staff at Caltech, has been appointed as the Division Operations Officer (DOO) for the Division of Biology and Biological Engineering (BBE). DOOs are responsible for overseeing operations, logistics, finance, infrastructure, compliance, and other crucial administrative functions of the division.

"I am confident that Joan has what it takes to lead and support the many staff in our division," says Paul Sternberg, Bren Professor of Biology and the William K. Bowes Jr. Leadership Chair of BBE. "Together we look forward to a happy, productive, and effective division that trains amazing students, supports dedicated staff, carries out superb research, and is on sound financial footing."

Sullivan joined the Caltech staff in 1991 and has worked with multiple groups on campus, including Financial Services, the Office of Public Relations (now the Office of Strategic Communications), Development and Institute Relations (now Advancement and Alumni Relations), and the Division of Engineering and Applied Science (EAS). Since 2015, Sullivan has served as BBE's Business Operations Manager.

"It's a very exciting time for BBE these days," Sullivan says. "I am always inspired by the faculty, staff, postdocs, and students here at Caltech and BBE. Every interaction I have with them has given me something to learn. Every day gives me another chance to help someone. I am an administrator at heart; I love helping people. I find great satisfaction in being able to solve problems, from the simplest request to a near impossible challenge."

Sullivan joins the ranks of the Institute's other DOOs: Grace Liang-Franco (Chemistry and Chemical Engineering), Marionne Epalle (EAS), Aleen Boladian (Geological and Planetary Sciences), Candace Younger (Humanities and Social Sciences), and Shawna Silesky (Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy).