Yale News

Michael Koelle — a professor of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry and previous winner of the Dylan Hixon ’88 Prize — will serve as the new Head of Ezra Stiles College. 

Koelle will begin his five-year term on July 1. He succeeds Head of College Alicia Schmidt Camacho who announced that she would be stepping down from the position in late January, after serving within the Ezra Stiles community for over 15 years.  

“Professor Koelle is an excellent choice as he articulated his ability to build community among a diverse group of individuals and also his willingness to help each individual reach their potential,” wrote Alison Cole, chair of the search committee behind the appointment, in an email to the News. 

Koelle teaches “Biochemistry and Biophysics” — a course often taken by first years — and “Principles of Biochemistry” which he has taught for over 25 years. He served as the Director of Undergraduate Studies for the Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry major for 13 years. 

According to Koelle, the idea of serving as a head of college has interested him for many years. He plans to enter the position by exploring all the current traditions that Ezra Stile has, and emphasized the “great community” that has developed under the leadership of Camacho.

“I think [the residential college system] is the crown jewel of Yale College,” said Koelle. “The whole idea here is for Yale to be more than the sum of its parts. And you achieve that when you build a community where individuals can interact with each other and make each other better. 

Koelle will be accompanied by his wife, Dr. Lore Gruenbaum. Gruenbaum is the chief scientific officer of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society — a non-profit health organization that invests in research on blood cancer and provides patient services — and will act as associate head of college.

Koelle and Gruenbaum’s daughter is a member of the incoming first-year class, while their son is a current sophomore at Yale. cq

“Professor Koelle and Dr. Gruenbaum are avid amateur classical musicians – they met not through science but rather playing chamber music at a workshop sponsored by the Yale School of Music,” Lewis wrote in his Monday email announcing the selection.

Camacho said that the current head and associate head of college are not involved in the selection process. However, she noted that her role was to consult the Dean of Yale College and talk with Lewis about Ezra Stiles and its community.

“He and Dr. Gruenbaum are going to be wonderful for this community. I think they bring tremendous gifts,” said Camacho. “Given their incredible record as educators and in the fields that they [pursue]  — I’m sure they’re going to be brilliant.”  

A search committee – composed of students, faculty members and Ezra Stiles fellows – was appointed by Lewis after Camacho stepped down. The group reviewed candidates’ applications throughout February. According to Diego Faria ’26, who served on the committee,  a shortlist was then submitted to the Dean’s Office, who interviewed the remaining candidates. 

Faria said that Koelle’s application had particularly stood out to him. He noted that the group had taken time during the search process to discuss the qualities and values that they were looking for in a head of college.

“Somebody that had that sort of a human touch to sit down with students, have a conversation with them,” said Faria, offering an example. “They are not our parents, but they sure as hell give us a ton of advice. A lot of it is that empathy and that delicate touch when having a difficult conversation.” 

Koelle told the News that he was excited to be involved in undergraduate education, pointing to his previous experience as chair of the Yale College Teaching, Learning and Advising Committee. He noted that he hoped to get to know students not only in an academic context, but as “whole people.” 

Ezra Stiles College is located at 302 York St.