Governance

CLEE Oversight and Governance

CLEE Governance

Overview

The Center for Life in Extreme Environments is a research center of excellence within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Portland State University.

CLAS

Students conducting ice coring in Antarctica

Governance

CLEE is managed by the Director and an internal Steering Committee, in conjunction with an External Advisory Board. Operations are managed by Center Guidelines, which were developed and ratified by the core CLEE faculty. Members of the Steering Committee and External Advisory Board serve three year terms.

CLEE Steering Committee

Dr. Annie Lindgren, Director

Dr. Kenneth Stedman, Professor of Biology

Dr. Jason Podrabsky, Professor of Biology

Dr. Anne Thompson, Assistant Professor, Biology

Dr. Jay Nadeau, Associate Professor of Physics

Dr. Dirk Iwata-Reuyl, Professor of Chemistry

CLEE External Advisory Board

Dr. Matt Beaudet, CEO InVivo Biosystems (LinkedIn)

A photograph of Dr. Matt Beaudet smiling

For over two decades, Matt Beaudet has been at the forefront of biology, addressing diseases that profoundly impact human life and health. As the CEO of InVivo Biosystems, he employs CRISPR technology and deep phenotyping to craft innovative genetic disease models — marking a notable advancement in healthcare research. The company's contributions have earned distinctions such as the White House Most Innovative Platform Technology (2014) and the Science Coalition American-Made Innovation Award (2018). Matt's extensive experience in the Oregon Biotech sector includes roles as founder, CEO, and board member. He began with epigenetics research at the University of Oregon, achieved patented technical & commercial innovations at Life Technologies, and went on to found two biotech startups. With a clear vision to enhance the human condition, Matt fervently advocates for this mission at CLEE.

Dr. Alejandro Briseno, Aerospace Corporation and CalTech (Google Scholar)

Mr. Tom Mason, J.D., Former Representative, Oregon House of Resentatives (LinkedIn)

A photograph of Mr. Tom Mason smiling in a tuxedo

Thomas Mason is a retired attorney and Oregon politician. He was a 14 year member of the Oregon House of Representatives where he authored the nation’s first “Vote By Mail” bill. In his retirement, he is an award winning author having just received a William Faulkner Award for his play The Hepburn Interview. Mr. Mason received a BS from PSU in 1967 and an MS in 1973 (both in political science) before attending law school. He also taught Administration of Justice at PSU from 1985 to 1995.

For more information about the operation of CLEE, please view the Current Center Guidelines, which can be accessed here.