Maria "Mia" Bertagnolli

Dr. Bertagnolli, Professor of Biology, started as Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs in January of 2023 but has taught at Gonzaga and held several administrative roles since 1993. A graduate of Gonzaga, she earned her PhD in biology from the University of Utah (Dr. Mary Beckerle, mentor) and was fortunate to return to Gonzaga to begin her teaching career.

Dr. Bertagnolli was jointly appointed to the Biology and Chemistry Departments and taught for both departments for many years as the Clare Boothe Luce Professor of Biochemistry before moving fully to the Biology Department. She has since served as Chair of the Biology Department, Chair of the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, and the Director of the Center for Teaching and Advising (2020-2022). She also spent several years as an Associate Dean in the College of Arts and Sciences. Throughout this time, she has helped departments develop guidelines for reappointment, promotion and tenure, developed resources and training that support faculty development and promote equitable, inclusive, antiracist pedagogy, provided leadership training for department chairs, and mentored faculty across the University. She has also been co-directing a multi-institutional ADVANCE Partnership grant from the National Science Foundation focused on creating peer mentoring networks that encourage and support equity and diversity, and that improve the advancement and retention of women in STEM disciplines.

As Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs, Dr. Bertagnolli will build on her experience to support the Provost in advancing the mission and development of faculty by working on initiatives that foster a supportive, inclusive environment and excellence in scholarship and teaching.

Dr. Bertagnolli's field of research is cellular biology. Her research focuses on understanding structural and regulatory molecules associated with cytoskeleton-mediated functions such as cell adhesion and migration.  She am currently interested in studying changes in cytoskeletal structure and signaling pathways that affect cell adhesion during the development of colon cancer.  The effect of colon cancer chemopreventive drugs on these structures and pathways is also being examined to improve our understanding of how these drugs work.