Dr. Hoffmann, who is an associate professor and vice chair for education in the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, takes on the role of interim associate dean, as Daniel Tranel, PhD, stepped down from the leadership post on June 30.  The role of the associate dean is crucial in shaping policies, recruiting top talent, enhancing professional development programs, and advocating on behalf of Carver College of Medicine PhD students and postdoctoral scholars.    Hoffmann additionally serves as the curriculum director for the Biomedical Science Program for PhD students in the Carver College of Medicine and associate director of the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP).   “It’s clear that Dr. Hoffmann has a true passion for not only preparing our students for careers in the biomedical sciences, but also setting new educational standards used nationwide,” says Denise Jamieson, MD, MPH, University of Iowa vice president for medical affairs and the Tyrone D. Artz Dean of the Carver College of Medicine. “I appreciate his willingness to step into this leadership role to continue developing a robust and engaging learning environment for our graduate students and postdocs.”   Hoffmann joined the faculty in the Carver College of Medicine in 2006, and since then has taught undergraduate students, PhD students, Master of Clinical Anatomy students, and students from a wide range of health professions. He also frequently leads workshops on graduate student professional development.     In addition to his leadership positions at Iowa, Hoffmann also chairs the committee that runs all national graduate student development programming through the Center for the Integration of Research Teaching and Learning (CIRTL). He assisted in the development of a virtual anatomy model that became an industry standard for virtual anatomy teaching practices, which led to classroom research on how students use similar tools.   He has earned a number of awards recognizing his commitment to teaching, including 17 Teacher of the Year awards from medical and dental students, the Carver College of Medicine’s Collegiate Teaching Award, the J.P. Long Teaching Award in the Basic Sciences, and the UI President and Provost Award for Teaching Excellence—the university’s highest teaching honor.    The national search for the next permanent associate dean is in progress, with Kris DeMali, PhD, professor and chair in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, serving as the chair of the search committee