Chemistry Newsletter 2019 | Page 7

From the Dean Earlier this fall, I visited Carolina Chemistry as part of a “listening and learning tour” that I embarked on after being appointed interim dean of the College of Arts & Sciences in February. I have been part of the dean’s office since 2012, serving for seven years as senior associate dean for fine arts and humanities, but it was important for me to have firsthand knowledge about the re- search activity of our faculty in the natural sciences and mathemat- ics. I was deeply impressed by the research and innovation that is hap- pening in that department. It is no surprise that Carolina Chemistry is one of top-ranked programs in the nation. Working in solar and thermal energy, nanomedicine, polymer science, mass spectrometry and other areas, our chemistry faculty are leading the way in defining solutions for some of the major challenges of our time. Students and faculty are also teaming up with colleagues in other disciplines to tap into the power of interdisciplinary problem-solving. This culture of collaboration and outside-the-box thinking is what we mean by the College of Arts & Sciences’ tag line: Synergy Unleashed. Carolina Chemistry faculty are also extraordinary instructors and mentors for our undergraduate and graduate students, regularly winning awards for their teaching. They are preparing our students to become the innovators and scientist-entrepreneurs of tomorrow. I look forward to 2020 being another year of Carolina Chemistry innovation and accomplishment. Terry Ellen Rhodes Interim Dean, College of Arts & Sciences Sincerely, Terry Ellen Rhodes Interim Dean, College of Arts & Sciences CHEM.UNC.EDU | CHEMISTRY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA | 7