Ken Belanger has been on the Colgate biology faculty since 2001 following degrees from Luther College (BA) and Duke University (PhD). His teaching specialties include developmental, cellular, and molecular biology, and genetics. His research interests center on understanding how the intracellular movement of macromolecules influences cell structure and function - specifically, how nuclear protein import and export are regulated and how this transport affects cell growth, division, and specialization. His research articles have appeared in publications such as Genetics, Cell Cycle, Protoplasma, Journal of Biological Chemistry, Current Genetics, Journal of Cell Biology, Current Opinion in Plant Biology, and CBE-Life Science Education. Ken has served as chair on the Committee on Athletics, the Faculty Development Council, and on the Academic Integrity subcommittee as part of Colgate's NCAA recertification process. He also currently serves as Colgate’s faculty athletic representative to the NCAA, on the Health Sciences Advisory Committee, and as faculty liaison to the Colgate football program. Ken has been awarded grants from National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation and is currently director of Colgate's Howard Hughes Medical Institute grant.
He is married to Karyn, also on the biology faculty and they have three children, Bryce (17), Karley (14), and Beth (11).
Name and Liaison to Which Team
Ken Belanger, Associate Dean of Faculty, Professor of Biology
Football
What I like about being a Faculty Liaison
Having the opportunity to work with students who are highly committed to both their academics and their athletic experience at Colgate.
An influential person in my career
Probably the most influential person outside of my parents has been my post-doctoral research advisor, Ralph Quatrano. Ralph has won awards for both his teaching and research, and has held high level administrative positions at multiple universities. But just as importantly, he is someone who connects well with those around him and helps them find the opportunities to pursue the passions they have in their career and their personal life. (And he credits much of this skill to what he learned as a undergraduate at Colgate, where he was both an excellent student and a student-athlete!)
Favorite hero
If I can go waaayyyy back ... Fran Tarkenton, Jim Zorn, and John Elway.
Favorite possession
That may be a toss-up between my Coleman canoe, bought when I was 15 years old and still my favorite fishing vessel, and our pop-up camping trailer that my family and I use both locally and on road trips around the country.
Favorite sports memory
My favorite memory from participating in sports was playing high school football with my Dad as my head coach and advancing all of the way to play in the state championship game in the Metrodome.
I've also had a great experience coaching my own children in basketball, baseball, softball, and football.
Favorite memento
I treasure the photographs my Mom took of my family on vacations, involved in sports, and doing everyday activities when we were growing up, and I feel the same about the photos and videos my own family.
Favorite magazine, hard-copy or online
"Sports Illustrated" and "Outside."
Favorite music type, singer or group
I grew up listening mostly to classic rock (Boston, Bob Seeger, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Springsteen) and still do when I can gain control of the car radio, but my kids now actually get me to listen to (and often even enjoy!) everything from Darius Rucker and Kenny Chesney to Imagine Dragons.
Favorite book
Letters from Side Lake by Peter Leschak.
Favorite movie
Probably Remember the Titans, and the annual movie event is the Banff Mountain Film Festival shorts that come to the Hamilton Movie Theater every winter.
Favorite quote
"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." (Credited to both Mark Twain and Anonymous)
