Contact:	Steve Carr, (505) 277-1821 Reed Dasenbrock, (505) 277-7381 Robert V. Duncan, (505) 277-4507
April 9, 2002 DUNCAN NAMED ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR RESEARCH IN ARTS & SCIENCES Robert Duncan, professor of physics at the University of New Mexico, has been named associate dean for research in the College of Arts and Sciences at UNM effective August 2002, announced Dean Reed Dasenbrock. “Professor Duncan is an outstanding young scientist who brings to this position his experience as a former distinguished member of the technical staff at Sandia,” said Dasenbrock. “His experience as an adjunct professor at Caltech, as well as a very successful record of research, teaching and service at UNM where he has taught since 1996, is excellent. “I think it would be fair to say that one of the most exciting developments at UNM in the past decade has been the rapid rise in externally funded research. I expect Rob to work effectively across campus in order to continue the upward trajectory.” Duncan, who recently received a large grant from NASA as part of the first microgravity fundamental physics mission to the International Space Station in 2005, says he is excited about the continuing appointment. “I am looking forward to being of service to the College of Arts and Sciences as the associate dean for research,” said Duncan. “This will be an opportunity to work closely with Dean Dasenbrock, the associate deans for research from the Engineering and Medical Schools, the vice provost for Research, and most importantly my highly motivated colleagues on the faculty to continue and accelerate the excellent growth in sponsored research that we have enjoyed at UNM over the last 10 years.” In 1991, sponsored research commitments at UNM slightly exceeded $80 million, but has grown to more than $235 million, which makes UNM one of the most rapidly growing research universities in the United States, a trend Duncan hopes to further establish. “Eight of UNM’s departments are nationally ranked by US News and World Report, and I am sure that many other of our departments and centers will soon be recognized as being among the very best in the world,” said Duncan. “I am humbled and excited to be part of the administration of this wonderful, excellent University here in New Mexico.” Duncan is the principal investigator in Critical Dynamics in Microgravity (DYNAMX), which is part of the first microgravity fundamental physics mission slated to fly aboard the space shuttle to the International Space Station in 2005. Duncan has earned his way through the ranks since originally coming to UNM as an adjunct assistant professor of physics (1990-92), adjunct associate professor (1992-96), associate professor of physics (1996-2001) and finally, professor (2001-current). He has also been a visiting associate in physics at Caltech since 1998. Duncan is also a life member of the American Physical Society (APS) and past chair and current member of the executive committee of the Instrumentation and Measurement Topical Group of the APS. He earned his BS in physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1982) and his Ph.D. in physics from the University of California-Santa Barbara (1988). # # #

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