When Bob Hippe announced his retirement from the Biology Department after 26 years of service, it felt like the end of an era. But with every ending comes a new beginning, complete with new challenges, which his replacement, Jamie Mullin, intends to meet head on. Mullin has been with the Biology Department for 8 years in a variety of roles. He got to know members of the department as a Stericycle delivery person before joining the Biology Stock Room staff in 2018. Mullin moved to the Biology Chair’s office as Administrative Coordinator and Assistant to the Chair three and a half years later. Recently, he accepted the position of Facilities and Office Operations Supervisor, a new role encompassing both Hippe’s facilities responsibilities and some of Mullin’s responsibilities in the Chair’s office.

Mullin says it can be hard to find a balance between the facilities aspects and Chair’s office duties, but he is never bored. Every day is different, presenting him with new challenges and adventure. He loves the Biology Department and welcomes this opportunity for growth as a liaison between Biology and the School of Arts & Sciences.

In every role, Mullin is willing to help others and take on new tasks. He takes great pride in bringing the department up to modern standards, noting the importance of little details, for example making sure outlets match in new spaces, and other odds and ends around new construction and building renovations.

Along with practical equipment such as new refrigerators and water lines in Busch Lab, he hopes to bring more technology to the table, such as the new electronic room calendar on Rebstock 309, and new smart board in the Chair’s office conference room. He enjoys spending time sourcing equipment, stating there is nothing more satisfying than finding a good deal or repurposing things in the dark corners of our buildings, making the best of what Biology already has, especially in the face of budget cuts. His mission includes rehoming, recycling, and repurposing, as well as donating or selling outdated items, which helps fund his passion for saltwater aquariums for all to enjoy in the Chair’s office.

Current construction projects include the second floor of Rebstock Hall, which is being renovated for new faculty members Merlijn Staps (Rebstock 201, and 202 where Pakrasi Lab used to be) and James Holehouse (Reb 208, 209, and 209A), both joining the department this fall. The first floor of Rebstock will be renovated when the department is ready for new faculty in coming years.

Mullin asks that Biology Department members give him grace and patience as he learns his new role. Recent changes at the higher level have complicated his learning curve. Arts & Sciences centralized the facilities team, so building zones have merged, and maintenance staff that know biology buildings have been shuffled to other locations. How does he feel about these new challenges? “Bring it on,” Mullin replies with a big grin.