Karen Colley

Karen J. Colley is an American glycobiologist and academic administrator serving as the provost of the University of Illinois Chicago since 2023. She is a professor of biochemistry and molecular genetics and the editor-in-chief of Glycobiology.

Life Colley earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Duke University. She completed a Ph.D. in biochemistry from the Washington University in St. Louis. Colley was president of the Society for Glycobiology. During this time she served as the interim dean of the university library from August 2020 to 2021, acting provost from May to August 2021 and June 2022 to June 2023. On July 21, 2023, she became the provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs of the University of Illinois Chicago. Colley is the editor-in-chief of Glycobiology.