Eric L. Hegg

Eric L. Hegg became dean of Michigan State University’s College of Natural Science in September 2024. He brings extensive experience in STEM education, research leadership, and college administration, with a focus on fostering innovation, collaboration, and student success. As dean, he is committed to advancing the college’s mission, supporting faculty excellence, and creating opportunities for students to thrive in a rapidly evolving scientific landscape. 

Hegg previously served as Associate Dean for Budget, Planning, Research, and Administration, overseeing the college’s budget, space, research infrastructure, and faculty recruitment initiatives. He also directed the MSU component of the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center (GLRBC), managing business operations and research partnerships. 

A leading researcher in biochemistry, Hegg’s work explores environmentally important processes, including biofuel production and enzymes involved in the global nitrogen cycle. He has authored numerous publications, holds several patents, and has mentored nearly 100 students and postdoctoral researchers. His achievements have been recognized with election as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and the Cottrell Scholar Award. 

[Learn more about Dean Hegg](https://natsci.msu.edu/about/dean-eric-l-hegg.aspx)

# Administrative Positions
* 2024 – Present, Dean, College of Natural Science, Michigan State University 
* 2022 – 2024, Co-Associate Director, Center for Catalysis in Biomimetic Confinement (CCBC), DOE Energy Frontier Research Center, Michigan State University
* 2020 – 2024, Associate Dean for Budget, Planning, Research, and Administration in the College of Natural Science, Michigan State University
* 2013 – 2019, Director, Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center (GLBRC) Business Operations, Michigan State University 

# Academic Positions
* 2014 – Present, Professor, Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Michigan State University
* 2006 – 2014, Associate Professor, Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Michigan State University
* 2006, Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, University of Utah
* 1999 – 2006, Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, University of Utah
* 1997 – 1999, NIH Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Minnesota
* 1996 – 1997, Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Minnesota 

# Awards and Honors
* 2025 Cottrell IMPACT Award, Research Corporation for Science Advancement
* 2019 Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
* 2017 Leadership Fellow, Academic Advancement Network, Michigan State University
* 2016 Academic Leadership Program Fellow, Big Ten Academic Alliance
* 2012 Visiting Scholar Fellowship, The Wenner-Gren Foundation, Stockholm University, Sweden
* 2004 NSF CAREER Award, National Science Foundation
* 2002 Cottrell Scholars Award, Research Corporation for Scientific Advancement

# Recent News
* April, 2025 [Eric Hegg honored with IMPACT award](https://natsci.msu.edu/news/2025/2025-04-eric-hegg-honored-with-impact-award.aspx)
* October, 2024 [Meet the Dean: Eric Hegg from the MSU College of Natural Science](https://www.wkar.org/show/msu-today-with-russ-white/2024-10-14/meet-the-dean-eric-hegg-from-the-msu-college-of-natural-science)
* September, 2024 [MSU trustees approve construction of new Plant and Environmental Sciences Building ](https://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2024/09/msu-trustees-approve-construction-of-new-plant-and-environmental-sciences-building)
* July, 2024 [Eric Hegg recommended as dean of MSU’s College of Natural Science](https://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2024/07/eric-hegg-recommended-as-dean-of-msu-college-of-natural-science)
* October, 2023 [MTRAC Award supports NatSci researcher’s work to transform $165 billion pulp and paper industry](https://natsci.msu.edu/news/2023-10-mtrac-award-supports-natsci-researchers-work-to-transform-165-billion-pulp-and-paper-industry.aspx)
* May, 2019 [Eric Hegg: Testifying on behalf of science](https://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2019/05/eric-hegg-testifying-on-behalf-of-science)

# Links
* [Current Research](https://bmb.natsci.msu.edu/labs/hegg-lab/current-research.aspx)
* [Recent Publications](https://bmb.natsci.msu.edu/labs/hegg-lab/recent-publications.aspx)
* [Google Scholar Citations](https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=e30WGXIAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao)
* [Hegg Lab Members](https://bmb.natsci.msu.edu/labs/hegg-lab/hegg-lab-members.aspx)
* [Previous Hegg Lab Members](https://bmb.natsci.msu.edu/labs/hegg-lab/previous-hegg-lab-members.aspx)