Michael Auerbach has been named the new Dean of the School of Science and Mathematics at the College of Charleston.
Auerbach takes over the position after spending that past nine years with the Desert Research Institute (DRI) in Reno and Las Vegas, Nevada. While at the DRI, Dr. Auerbach served as the Executive Director and Research Professor of the Division of Earth and Ecosystem Sciences. Most recently, he was asked to serve as the Interim Vice President for Academic and Business Development at DRI.
“I am exceptionally pleased we were able to attract someone with Dr. Auerbach’s leadership experience,” says College of Charleston Provost George Hynd. “ Michael’s experience as an active researcher, administrator, and facilitator of multidisciplinary teams will serve the faculty and students well in the School of Sciences and Mathematics.”
Prior to joining DRI, Auerbach served as chair of the Department of Biology, College/University of Charleston, and Director of the Ecology Program at the U.S. National Science Foundation.
His research interests are in population and community ecology, with a prime focus on insect-plant interactions, particularly those involving non-native taxa, forecasting ecological change along environmental gradients, and food-web stability.
Auerbach earned his Ph.D. and M.S. in Biological Science from Florida State University, and a B.S. in Biology from SUNY-Stony Brook.
His tenure as Dean will begin November 1, 2010.
