After serving as executive associate dean and associate dean for research in the Texas A&M University College of Geosciences for the past nine years, Dr. Jack Baldauf has been named senior associate vice president for research and is now located in the Texas A&M Division of Research.

“In this role, Jack will provide leadership for our international programs, space and environmental initiatives, faculty development and recognition, and strategic research planning,” said Dr. Mark A. Barteau, vice president for research at Texas A&M.

Before serving in his most recent position as College of Geosciences executive associate dean and associate dean for research, Baldauf served in several roles, including deputy director and manager of science operations for the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program and the Ocean Drilling Program (now the International Ocean Discovery Program).

“Dr. Baldauf’s gift for building teams and his talent for establishing interdisciplinary connections has elevated the entire research enterprise of the college and has led to major research initiatives across campus,” said Dr. Debbie Thomas, dean of the College of Geosciences. “We are exceedingly grateful for his energy, vision, and follow through, and we are exceptionally proud that his talents are broadly recognized by campus leadership and throughout the geosciences community.”

Dr. Ping Yang, professor of atmospheric sciences and holder of the David Bullock Harris Chair in Geosciences, will serve as the College of Geosciences’ interim associate dean for research through April 30, 2020.

“Dr. Yang’s superlative record of scholarship, combined with his deep experience previously serving the College as department head of Atmospheric Sciences will be invaluable to us all, and we are exceedingly grateful for his leadership,” Thomas said.

A search advisory committee will conduct an internal search for the next associate dean for research in the spring of 2020. 

By Leslie Lee ’09