We are pleased to announce that Jacob Bortnik has agreed to serve as Chair of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, effective July 1, 2023.
We are extremely grateful to Suzanne Paulson for her outstanding service to the Department and to UCLA during her extended term as Department Chair. Suzanne led the Department through some of the most challenging times in recent history, which included the COVID-19 pandemic, budget cuts, and several other complex challenges. At the same time, Suzanne helped the Department move in directions that will increase its impact in inclusive research and education. She has overseen two faculty searches and worked to hire an adjunct professor who will focus on growing the undergraduate major. Suzanne’s term has also seen significant growth in the department’s endowment that includes support for endowed lectures and endowed faculty chairs, including the first administrative chair in the Division of Physical Sciences. Thanks to Suzanne’s efficient leadership, the UCLA Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences remains one of the best departments in one of the top Universities. We hope you will join us in wishing Suzanne continued success as she resumes her full-time commitment to a distinguished career as a scientist and educator.
We know that you will join us in thanking Jacob for taking on the challenges and opportunities of leading this extraordinary Department while maintaining a remarkably successful research program in space physics and working as the founding Faculty Director of the newly created UCLA SPACE institute. Jacob has been a remarkable leader, and we are delighted that he is willing to provide the leadership and vision that we need for AOS to remain a top department for years to come.
