Four scientists have been named finalists to direct the Institute for Biomedical Science and Biotechnology, a program aimed at increasing collaboration among faculty in the life sciences.

The list includes UA plant sciences Professor Vicki Chandler, who currently serves as the institute's co-director.

Other candidates are: David T. Curiel, director of the Division of Human Gene Therapy and director of the Gene Therapy Center at The University of Alabama at Birmingham; John W. Kozarich, president and chief research and development officer of ActivX Biosciences in La Jolla, Calif; and Paul Rothman, Richard J. Stock Professor of Medicine and Microbiology at Columbia University.

Interviews will be completed in May. The winner will replace Tom Baldwin, who left as director last summer to focus on other activities.

The institute will eventually be housed in a 150,000-square foot building that is scheduled to be completed in 2005, near University Medical Center.