Highland Park resident receives Cal State LA’s 2017 Outstanding Professor Award

California State University, Los Angeles recognized Patrick J. Krug for excellence in the classroom and service to the community during the 2017 University Convocation at the Luckman Fine Arts Complex.

Krug, a professor of biological sciences in the College of Natural and Social Sciences at Cal State LA, was one of four Outstanding Professors honored for excellence in teaching and significant achievement in scholarly inquiry or creativity, as well as professional activities and community service, during a festive ceremony.

Krug is a highly regarded marine biologist and has performed field work uncovering new biodiversity in Africa, Australia, the tropical Indo-Pacific and the Caribbean. He studies how migration by larval stages in the plankton affects the distribution and evolution of marine animals, and ultimately how lineages diversify into new species over time. His research into the evolutionary relationships among species has led to the discovery and naming of new photosynthetic sea slugs, including some studied for anticancer drug development and biocontrol of invasive algae.

He has discussed his findings in ocean research in dozens of public radio and television reports. He also has been featured in specials for the Discovery Channel and History Channel during which he discussed biodiversity and conservation.

Krug has been the principal investigator or co-investigator on more than $3 million in research grants. He has mentored many research students, including those traditionally underrepresented in the life sciences.

Krug received his Ph.D. in marine biology from Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego. He was a postdoctoral researcher at UCLA for four years, and he has served on the faculty of Cal State LA since 2002. He resides in the Highland Park neighborhood of Los Angeles.

Additionally, three Outstanding Professor Awards went to Cal State LA faculty members Talia Mae Bettcher, Nanda Ganesan and Arturo Pacheco-Vega, and an Outstanding Lecturer Award was given to Jay Conway. A President’s Distinguished Professor Award was also presented to Sharon H. Ulanoff, who was a previous outstanding professor award recipient.