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Teaching, research, students top priorities for Ruiz

UA geosciences head is a candidate for dean of science

The search for a new UA College of Science dean has begun with the consideration of current geosciences department head Joaquin Ruiz.

Ruiz pinpointed teaching, research and meeting the needs of the College of Science faculty, student and staff as priorities for the next dean.

"The dean has many roles," Ruiz said. "He or she must make sure that the teaching obligations of the college are fulfilled, that the research potential of the college is reached, (and) that the faculty, staff and students work in a civilized and fair environment."

To this end, recruiting and retaining quality faculty and expanding facilities are top priorities for Ruiz.

"The College of Science is an extraordinary college that teaches more than all the colleges, except SBS (Social and Behavioral Sciences), and has an extraordinary research agenda," Ruiz said.

"The problems of the college are complex and center around lack of adequate space and faculty retention and recruitment efforts, but I would greatly enjoy working together with the extraordinary faculty of the college and the university central administration in solving these problems," he added.

Ruiz, whose research specializes in the chemical evolution of the earth, maintains a laboratory where he analyzes materials for trace elements and isotope ratios used to date rocks. He has been a University of Arizona faculty member since 1983.

After earning his doctorate in geochemistry from the University of Michigan, Ruiz came to the UA where he teaches classes ranging from graduate-level seminars to an introductory-level natural sciences course.

In addition to his work in geosciences, Ruiz has also been the chair of the Strategic Planning and Budget Advisory Committee for the past five years, a position which he said would prepare him well for heading the science college.

"As chair of this committee, I understand the university well and have worked with most of the vice presidents and president of the university closely," he said. "I will be able to use this knowledge to look for effective research and teaching opportunities for the college."

Eugene Levy, the current science dean, said he is not involved in choosing a successor and could not comment on the proceedings, but as a colleague, knows Ruiz to be of top professional and personal caliber.

"I appointed Dr. Ruiz as geosciences department head about five years ago," he said. "I regard that appointment as being among the most brilliant appointments that I have made. I have the highest confidence in Dr. Ruiz's abilities."

The position of science dean is being vacated by Levy this summer, who is set to become the new provost at Rice University in Houston in July.