D. Ryce has been a Departmental Administrator for over 15 years. In 2007, she became DA of Physiology & Cellular Biophysics, and since 2010 she has administered both the Pharmacology and Physiology Departments.

D. graduated from the CUNY Baccalaureate Program (Brooklyn College) – Magna Cum Laude- with a dual B.S. in Business Management and Spanish Literature. She later received her MBA from Baruch College Zicklin School of Business, all while working full time and raising two children.

During her tenure at Columbia, D. has built a solid team of talented administrative professionals that assist her with the day-to-day departmental operations and who she credits for the high level of efficiency in the administrative support provided to the faculty, staff and students. D. is an over-achiever and expects the same from the members of her team. Those on her staff know that the administrative team’s primary goal is to support the missions of research and education. This is best accomplished if everyone puts his or her best foot forward every single day.

Outside of the department, D’s insight has been sought on several committees at the level of P&S, CUMC and CU. Some of these include membership on the P&S AIM HI Advisory committee; P&S HR Brainstorming committee; P&S Award for Excellence Selection committee; CUMC DA Steering committee; CUMC Sponsored Projects Financial Management Reports Advisory Team; CU ERP Development committee; and the CU Fringe Benefits Taskforce.

In 2011, D. was awarded the CUMC Baton Award for Excellence through Teamwork by Dean Goldman for her high level of commitment and collaboration to CUMC.

Outside of Columbia, D. enjoys spending quality time with her children and husband of 24 years, Rey. She’s also passionate about distance running and is committed to completing a full marathon in each of the 50 states. By the end of 2014 D. will have run in 20 states and completed her 29th marathon. D. states that her daily 5am run is both energizing and relaxing, and primes her for the challenges of the workday. She adds that most of her planning and strategizing are conceived while running.