National Science Foundation Personnel Announcement
NSF PA 99-2 - September 22, 1999
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NSF Names New Geosciences Head
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has named oceanographer
Margaret Leinen of the University of Rhode Island
to head its geosciences directorate. She is scheduled
to assume her new position as NSF's assistant director
for geosciences in January 2000. Leinen also will
be responsible for coordinating environmental science
and engineering programs within NSF, and for environmental
cooperation and collaborations between NSF and other
Federal agencies.
Leinen is a well-known researcher in paleoceanography
and paleoclimatology. Her work focuses on the history
of biogenic sedimentation in the oceans and its relationship
to global biogeochemical cycles, and the history of
eolian sedimentation in the oceans and its relationship
to climate.
At the University of Rhode Island, Leinen is dean,
Graduate School of Oceanography, and vice provost
for Marine and Environmental Programs. She also is
interim dean, College of the Environment and Life
Sciences. Leinen has spent her entire academic career
at the University of Rhode Island, considered one
of the country's top institutions for marine studies.
During her tenure, she spearheaded the University's
efforts to build a cohesive interdisciplinary marine
and environmental focus.
Leinen received her B.S. degree (1969) in geology from
the University of Illinois; her M.S. (1975) in geological
oceanography from Oregon State University; and her
Ph.D. (1980) in oceanography from the University of
Rhode Island.
She is a past president of The Oceanography Society.
She is on the Board of Governors of the Joint Oceanographic
Institutions, and the Ocean Research Advisory Council.
Leinen also has served as Vice Chair of the International
Geosphere Biosphere Program and on the Board on Global
Change of the National Research Council/National Academy
of Sciences.
As head of NSF's geosciences directorate, Leinen will
manage a budget of approximately $470 million annually.
Her selection followed a national search chaired by
Susan Solomon, senior scientist at the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in Boulder,
Colorado.
Leinen will replace Robert W. Corell, who has held
the position since 1987.
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