Dr. Engelke earned a B.S. in Biochemistry at the University of Wisconsin, Madison and a Ph.D. in Biological Chemistry at Washington University (St. Louis) working with Robert Roeder. After postdoctoral studies with John Abelson at UC San Diego and Caltech, he was on the faculty of Biological Chemistry at the University of Michigan, where he also served in various roles as director of graduate programs and associate deans in the Medical School and Graduate School. His research interests center on the biosynthesis and functions of small RNAs in eukaryotic nuclei. In September, 2015 became Dean of the Graduate School for the Denver and Anschutz Medical campuses of the University of Colorado, as well as Professor of Chemistry and Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics.