Staff Report
Robert Duncan, a physics professor who has worked at UNM since 1990, says he will focus on continuing the University's steady growth in research funding as the newly appointed associate dean for research.
In 1991, sponsored research commitments at UNM slightly exceeded $80 million but have since 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 U.S. 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," Duncan said in a University statement. "I am humbled and excited to be part of the administration of this wonderful, excellent University here in New Mexico."
Arts and Sciences Dean Reed Dasenbrock announced Duncan's selection for the research job, which he will take over in August.
"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," Dasenbrock said in a University statement. "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."
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Duncan recently received a large grant from NASA as part of the first microgravity fundamental physics mission to the International Space Station in 2005 and said he is excited about his new job.
"I am looking forward to being of service to the College of Arts and Sciences as the associate dean for research," Duncan said. "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."
Duncan is the principal investigator in Critical Dynamics in Microgravity, 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 worked his way through the ranks since coming to UNM as an adjunct assistant physics professor from 1990 to 1992, adjunct associate professor from 1992 to 1996, associate professor of physics from 1996 to 2001 and, finally, professor since 2001. He also has been a visiting associate in physics at California Polytechnic Institute since 1998.
Duncan also is a lifetime member of the American Physical Society and past chairman and current member of the society's executive committee Instrumentation and Measurement Topical Group. He earned his bachelor's degree in physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1982 and his doctorate in physics from the University of California at Santa Barbara in1988.
