The College is pleased to announce that Rob Wood, a professor in the Department of Atmospheric Sciences, has agreed to serve as the UW Environment’s Associate Dean for Research effective September 16, 2017. In this role he will foster multidisciplinary collaborations, promote and support the range of basic and applied research programs across the College and University, and help faculty identify opportunities to partner and collaborate with universities and research organizations around the U.S. and the world.
Throughout his career, Rob has facilitated, conducted and managed innovative, interdisciplinary research collaborations. It is through this work that he gained a deep appreciation for scientific endeavors outside of his areas of expertise. He is committed to building on our strengths by working with faculty and researchers to seize opportunities for collaboration in research.
Rob leads an active research group focused on understanding how clouds interact with and influence Earth’s climate system. His research involves the use of instrumented aircraft, ships and ground stations, as well as satellite-based sensing. Rob has held various leadership positions in the planning and execution of large interagency and international projects. At UW, he has participated in his department’s Undergraduate Curriculum Committee and Diversity Interest Group, served on the UW Faculty Senate and has been a long-time member of the American Association of University Professors (including two terms as president of the UW chapter).
In June 2017, Rob received the American Geophysical Union’s Ascent Award. The prestigious award honors exceptional mid-career scientists in the fields of atmospheric and climate sciences. Alongside other 2017 AGU Section and Focus Group Awardees, including Earth and Space Sciences Emeritus Professor John Booker, he will be recognized at the group’s Fall Meeting.
“I am incredibly pleased that he will now be in a position to share his talents with the entire College community. I know that you will enjoy working with him as well,” Dean Lisa J. Graumlich said.
Ivan Eastin, Rob’s predecessor in this position, accepted a faculty position at the University of Michigan earlier this year. Many thanks are due to the Associate Dean for Research search committee, which included Santosh Devasia (Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Affairs, College of Engineering) as chair, Julian Sachs (Professor, Oceanography), Ryan Kelly (Assistant Professor, Marine and Environmental Affairs), David Catling (Professor, Earth and Space Sciences), Renata Bura (Associate Professor, Environmental and Forest Sciences), Becky Alexander (Associate Professor, Atmospheric Sciences) and Stephanie Harrington (Associate Dean for Administration, College of the Environment).
