Dr. Kim E. Barrett, dean of graduate studies at UC San Diego, is a 2009 recipient of the prestigious San Diego YWCA Tribute to Women & Industry (TWIN) Award. The award recognizes women for leadership, outstanding achievement and contributions to their organizations.
“Among her many other distinguished accomplishments,” said Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Paul W. Drake, who nominated her, “Dean Barrett has overseen and personally engaged in campus and outreach activities that have contributed to a sustained increase in the number of under-represented minority students pursuing graduate education at UC San Diego, including the establishment of the Tribal Membership Initiative for Native American students.”
Besides her duties as dean of graduate studies, Barrett is an internationally recognized physiologist, well known for her research in gastrointestinal epithelial transport and function. She teaches a variety of School of Medicine courses in addition to mentoring a diverse range of students. She is a recipient of the Kaiser Permanente Award for Excellence in teaching. She also has been honored by the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland with its Molecular Medicine Medal, and in 2008 she was recognized by the American Gastroenterological Association with its Outstanding Women in Science Award.
As dean, Barrett oversees all academic and non-academic aspects of graduate education at UC San Diego, with responsibility for more than 4,000 graduate students. She serves as a member of the Graduate Council of the Academic Senate, oversees the Center for Teaching Development and coordinates the reviews of individual graduate programs.
The YWCA’s TWIN program was initiated in 1980 and has since become the premier businesswomen’s recognition event in San Diego County. The program honors women who have made significant contributions; recognizes firms or institutions that provide opportunities for women; encourages women to take up careers in business and industry; and raises funds for YWCA programs and services.