Olson Officially Takes Helm as Physiology Chair
Olson steps into the chair role with a vision shaped by 30 years in the department
Article Highlights
- After three years as interim chair, Karl Olson is appointed to permanent chair.
- Under Olson’s leadership, the department saw 13 faculty promotions, four new hires, and key research advancements.
- With three decades at MSU and experience working under four department chairs and four NatSci deans, Olson brings broad perspective and deep institutional knowledge to his role.
After three years serving as interim chair of the Department of Physiology, Karl Olson has officially been appointed permanent chair. It’s news that both he and his wife, Gillian, are excited about.
“After running the department for three years, I am excited to continue,” Olson said. “For the most part, we now have a new front office team, and we’ve made great strides toward creating a friendlier and happy environment. I thoroughly enjoy working with our support staff, faculty, and academic staff. Now this gets to continue.”
Olson said that Gillian strongly encouraged him to pursue the position which he first hesitated to do.
“She was always surprised that I did not apply to the position at the beginning of the second search,” he said. “My hesitation was always the desire that the department had a new external chair. This did not happen, so we are now pleased with my opportunity to run the department.”
The search for a permanent chair had been extensive since Lee Cox stepped down from the position in May of 2022 after nine years. The department conducted an external search and reviewed numerous applicants over two cycles, said associate chair Michelle Mazei-Robison, who was also on the search committee.
Although the committee identified a strong external candidate that generated enthusiasm across the department, contract negotiations stretched on for more than eight months and ultimately collapsed. With the process back at square one, attention returned to the leadership already in place.
“Since taking on the interim role, Dr. Olson has demonstrated consistent dedication to the department’s growth and success,” Mazei-Robison said. “Given this commitment, there was strong support for him to officially assume leadership.”
Among Olson’s initiatives and accomplishments over the past three years are the promotion of 13 faculty members, the hiring of four new faculty, including three in the tenure system, the retention of three highly productive researchers and the acquisition of advanced research equipment which Olson described as critical to advancing the department’s research programs.
“Karl has been an outstanding leader as the interim chair of physiology, and he has done a terrific job guiding the department through the transition period,” said College of Natural Science Dean Eric Hegg. “His dedication to the department, his strong relationships with the faculty and staff, and his passion for both our teaching and research missions make him the perfect person for this job. I’m thrilled to have him step into the permanent chair role.”
A Minnesota native, Olson earned his bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Minnesota Duluth and a Ph.D. in pharmacology from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. He came to MSU in 1995 and has since served in key leadership roles within the Department of Physiology, including as Director of the Undergraduate Program.
Olson’s research focuses on molecular endocrinology, particularly how elevated glucose and lipid levels impair pancreatic ß cell function. His lab was among the first to show that chronic glucose exposure disrupts insulin gene transcription and alters lipid metabolism pathways. More recently, his research has identified lipid-related biomarkers that may help predict early islet autoimmunity and type 1 diabetes risk.
Looking ahead, Olson plans to strengthen the department’s financial footing while maintaining its core missions of research, teaching and service. In the long run, he hopes to grow the department’s research profile, particularly in the area of neural control of organ systems.
“As associate chairperson, I’ve had the pleasure of working with Karl for the past three years and have full confidence in his ability to lead our department during what looks to be a period filled with change,” Mazei-Robison said. “We will benefit from his deep knowledge of the department and university and the strong relationships he’s built during his career at MSU to effectively advocate for our department. And moving forward, I know Karl will actively seek out the input and advice of department members to help shape the vision of how MSU's Department of Physiology will innovate and excel in the future.”
This budding momentum under Olson’s leadership is something that Gina Leinninger, director of the Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Physiology graduate program, is eager to build upon, too.
“We are looking forward to ways to further enhance the graduate program, including exciting new class and career development opportunities,” she said. “We also hope to better connect our current students and alumni, so that students see examples of what an MSU MCIP degree can yield and expand their network to support their own career development.”
For Olson, the most rewarding part of being chair is celebrating milestones as students, faculty, and staff advance in their careers. Of course, all that celebrating can cut into his personal time for activities he enjoys, like biking and exercising, but it’s a sacrifice he’s willing to make.
“As interim chair, I found that I was working all the time and did not have time to pursue all my outside interests,” Olson said. “With that said, the work was very gratifying and hence my willingness to continue.”
