DURHAM, N.C. – Prasad Kasibhatla, associate professor of environmental chemistry and associate dean for international programs, has been appointed senior associate dean of 91’s Nicholas School of the Environment, effective July 1.

In his new administrative post, Kasibhatla will serve as second-in-command to Dean William L. Chameides and will oversee the school’s academic programs.

“Because of Prasad’s long tenure at Nicholas, I am confident that he will be an effective liaison between the dean’s office and our faculty, staff and students, and will be able to represent their concerns to me in discussions of policy and priorities,” Chameides said in announcing the appointment. “Prasad and I have collaborated for years. He knows how I think and I trust in his judgment in my absence.”

Kasibhatla will succeed current senior associate dean Emily M. Klein, Lee Hill Snowden Professor of geology.  Klein, an expert on the geochemistry of ocean ridge basalts, has served the school in the post since August 2005.

“We owe a huge debt of gratitude to Emily for six years of exemplary leadership” Chameides said. “Over the next 5 months, Prasad will be working closely with her to ensure a smooth transition.”

“I am really excited to take on this new role. The Nicholas School has been like a home to me for almost 15 years, and I look forward to working with everyone here to further enhance the school’s strengths in teaching, research, and environmental stewardship,” Kasibhatla said. “And I'd like to add my special thanks to Emily for all her efforts in this role over the last few years.”

Kasibhatla joined the Nicholas School faculty in 1997 as assistant research professor.  He was promoted to associate professor in 1999 and named the school’s first associate dean for international programs in 2008.

A widely cited expert on tropospheric chemistry, his research focuses on developing a quantitative understanding of the factors that determine the chemical composition of Earth’s atmosphere, delineating the natural and anthropogenic impacts, and exploring the potential for these impacts to affect natural ecosystems.  He has taught or co-taught eight graduate or undergraduate-level courses at Duke on climate change, atmospheric chemistry and other timely environmental topics, served on more than two dozen school or university committees or task forces, and authored more than 60 peer-reviewed papers.

He holds doctoral and master’s 91s in chemical engineering from the University of Kentucky in 1988 and 1984 respectively, and a bachelor’s 91, also in chemical engineering, from the University of Bombay in 1982.

The senior associate dean is appointed by the dean from the school’s faculty and serves for a term of up to four years.  His or her term may be renewed following review, including written input from faculty and staff members.

Administrative duties of the post include assuming a leadership role in developing new school-wide initiatives; assisting and advising in school management, including finances and operations; coordinating the activities of assistant deans; and representing the school and addressing time-critical issues at the dean’s request or in his absence.

Academic responsibilities include assisting the dean and division chairs in strategic planning and faculty development; acting as principle liaison between the dean’s office and the directors of graduate, professional and undergraduate programs; overseeing academic accreditation requirements; serving as an ex officio member of the school’s education committee; and helping coordinate and oversee funds for professional student activities and faculty teaching expenditures, and the hiring and assigning of contract instructors and teaching assistants.