Richard M. Schultz: SAS Associate Dean for the Natural Sciences
April 8, 2008, Volume 54, No. 28	Print Issue

Richard M. Schultz, the Charles and William L. Day Distinguished Professor of Biology, has been appointed Associate Dean for the Natural Sciences in the School of Arts and Sciences, effective July 1, 2008. He will oversee the departments of biology, chemistry, earth and environmental science, linguistics, mathematics, physics and astronomy and psychology.

Dr. Schultz is a developmental biologist whose research focuses on mammalian reproduction. He is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and his scholarship has been honored by the Jan Purkinje Medal of the Czech Academy of Sciences and the Distinguished Scientist Award of the Society for Reproduction and Fertility. Dr. Schultz has been at Penn since 1978. He has served as chair of the department of biology since 2004 and is a former chair of the biology graduate group. He is also a member of the cell and molecular biology graduate group based in the School of Medicine.  

“Richard has a deep commitment to the science mission of the School of Arts and Sciences,” said SAS Dean Rebecca Bushnell. “I am confident that he will be an effective advocate for it within the School, the University and the broader scientific community.”

Dr. Schultz will succeed Professor of Physics David Balamuth, who has served in the position of Associate Dean for 13 years and was a driving force for the development of SAS science policy under four deans. His contributions include not only strengthening the school’s science faculty, but also championing several important facilities projects, most notably the two-phase life sciences complex. He has also served the University as graduate chair in physics, chair of the Faculty Senate and chair of the department of physics and astronomy.