The UC Riverside Office of Research and Economic Development (AVC-RED) has named School of Medicine Biomedical Sciences researcher Djurdjica Coss, PhD as  associate vice chancellor. Her official start date is slated for September 1, 2023.

With a profound dedication to advancing knowledge, Coss currently leads an NIH-funded laboratory at UCR, focusing on unraveling the intricacies of reproductive function regulation. Her research encompasses critical aspects of pubertal development, reproductive cyclicity, and conditions such as premature ovarian failure and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Her multidimensional approach incorporates integrated genomic and cellular analyses, in vitro methodologies, and in vivo mouse models.

Her commitment to academic excellence extends beyond her research, as she has played a pivotal role in the UC system by chairing the Academic Senate Committee on Research. Furthermore, her service as a member of grant review panels for esteemed institutions like NSF, NIH, and the Endocrine Society underscores her expertise. Djurdjica's dedication to mentoring the next generation of scientists, including postdoctoral fellows, research scientists, and graduate students, reinforces her commitment to fostering academic growth.

Coss earned a BS in biology from Novi Sad University, Serbia, Yugoslavia, and a PhD in biomedical sciences from UC Riverside. Her postdoctoral studies were completed at UC San Diego and she spent a dozen years on the faculty there.