“Dan has the combination of research, teaching and management skills that will help Rice take another giant step forward in the natural sciences arena.” —David Leebron Dan Carson
Carson Appointed Dean of Natural Sciences Dan Carson, currently the Trustees Distinguished Professor and chair of the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Delaware, has been appointed dean of Rice University’s Wiess School of Natural Sciences. He will succeed Kathy Matthews when she relinquishes the Since becoming department chair in 1998, Carson has position Dec. 31 after serving as dean for 10 years. Matthews recruited 17 faculty members and developed a robust research will continue to do research as Rice’s Stewart Memorial program, with external research funding increasing from Professor of Biochemistry and Cell Biology. $1.5 million to $10 million. His comprehensive revision of “I am thrilled to welcome the graduate program has a gifted scientist like Dan resulted in four times as Carson to Rice’s leadership many graduate students as “We have developed a culture of mutual respect team,” said President David the department enrolled 10 Leebron. “Following in Kathy years ago. He also has built here. The faculty and staff feel that they can Matthews’ footsteps is a collaborations with other express their views, that they will be heard and daunting task, but Dan has biomedical research instituthat things will happen.” the combination of research, tions in the region as well as —Dan Carson teaching and management with the university’s College skills that will help Rice take of Engineering. another giant step forward Carson, who also will in the natural sciences arena. We look to Dan to continue to serve as a professor of biochemistry and cell biology at Rice, drive the research that has made Rice a leader across a broad is a reproductive biologist. His research interests focus on range of endeavors and that will make a difference for our the molecular basis by which mammalian embryos implant students, our university, our city and the world.” into the uterine wall. His work earned him a prestigious At the University of Delaware in Newark, Carson manages National Institutes of Health MERIT Award in 2002. a department with 40 faculty members, 1,000 undergraduate Carson’s wife, Mary C. Farach-Carson, is a professor of majors, 80 graduate students and 24 support staff. Scientist biological sciences and materials sciences at the University of magazine recently named the University of Delaware one of Delaware. She has been appointed associate vice provost for the top places to work in life sciences. research at Rice. The Carsons have four children, the youngest “We have developed a culture of mutual respect here,” of whom will finish high school next year. Carson said. “The faculty and staff feel that they can express their views, that they will be heard and that things —B.J. Almond will happen.” F O R
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