Newswise — COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Distinguished physicist Jayanth R. Banavar, whose research frequently involves interdisciplinary collaboration in the life sciences, has been named dean of the University of Maryland's newly integrated College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences (CMNS).
For the past 12 years, Banavar has led the physics department at Penn State University. He will assume the Maryland post in August.
"With an integrated scientific college, Maryland is well-positioned to prepare the next generation of scientists for the types of challenges they are likely to encounter," Banavar says.
"While strength in the core disciplines is essential, the lines between them will continue to blur, and we need to educate a generation of creative researchers who can thrive in an interdisciplinary environment," he adds. "I'm delighted to be entrusted with this responsibility."
Much of Banavar's recent work has applied the techniques of statistical physics to solve interdisciplinary problems, explaining, for example, why biological molecules tend to curl up into helices, or to explain why coral reefs support such a rich biodiversity. Frequently, the goal has been to identify an underlying mathematical principle that can provide an elegant explanation of natural phenomena - "to uncover the simplicity underlying the seemingly bewildering complexity."
A condensed-matter theorist, Banavar has authored or co-authored more than 250 journal articles on topics as diverse as metabolic scaling in living organisms, river networks, patterns underlying gene expression profiles, continuum deductions from molecular hydrodynamics, biodiversity and ecology, the geometry and physics of proteins, the physics of porous media, and the nature of ordering of spin glasses.
"Jayanth Banavar's blend of wide-ranging scientific curiosity, collaborative spirit, distinguished achievement and academic leadership is a perfect match for the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences," says University of Maryland President Wallace D. Loh. "So many of our new initiatives are cross-campus, interdisciplinary projects, precisely because major scientific questions and critical world issues demand this approach. Dr. Banavar's leadership will help us excel in these efforts, and we are most fortunate to welcome him."
University of Maryland Senior Vice President and Provost Ann Wylie announced the appointment to the university community.
"The breadth and quality of Jayanth's work uniquely qualify him to lead the new college," Wylie says. "His own research experiences have put him in highly dynamic and productive territory, and his leadership at Penn State has been extremely successful. With the appointment of a new dean and the support of the highly capable CMNS community, President Loh and I are extremely optimistic about the future of the College."
CMNS took shape last October, blending computer, mathematical, and physical sciences with chemistry and life sciences - a growing trend among leading universities as a way to strengthen interdisciplinary education and research.
A 2009 National Academy of Sciences study accelerated this trend with its call for "the emergence of a New Biology," that integrates biologists with physicists, chemists, computer scientists, engineers, and mathematicians "to create a research community with the capacity to tackle a broad range of scientific and societal problems."
"The college is extremely fortunate to have an individual of the quality and stature of Dr. Banavar as its next dean," says Steve Halperin, who after a dozen years of academic leadership is stepping down as dean of the college. "His outstanding record of leadership and contributions to science command respect not only here, but in the country and around the world. I look forward to my new role as a professor of mathematics at Maryland, knowing that the college is in such very fine hands."
"Maryland students have the opportunity to work with some of the finest researchers and educators in the world," Banavar adds, in admiration of the caliber of the College's faculty and staff. "We must inspire their scientific creativity, and make their academic success our priority. Academic excellence along with a passion for research is a winning formula."
BRIEF BIOGRAPHY
Banavar currently serves as Distinguished Professor and George A. and Margaret M. Downsbrough Department Head of Physics at Pennsylvania State University. He received a Bachelor of Science with honors (1972) and a Master of Science (1974) in physics from Bangalore University. He earned his Ph.D. in physics from the University of Pittsburgh (1978).
Under his leadership, the Penn State physics department enjoyed a significant increase in the National Research Council rankings, and he has fostered collaborations with the life sciences through several joint appointments.
Banavar held research positions at Schlumberger-Doll (1988-1991), Bell Laboratories (1981-1983), and the University of Chicago (1978-1981). He is a Fellow of the American Physical Society as well as the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He has more than 250 publications in refereed journals, 11 book chapters, co-edited a book, and holds three patents.
More details are available here: http://newsdesk.umd.edu/vibrant/banavarbio.cfm
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