dean’s letter
Dear Friends,
dean
Mary Ann Rankin
associate dean for
The College of Natural Sciences continues to be an epicenter for learning and information technology
Jeffrey A. Brumfield
discovery. Learning, in fact, permeates all that we do. Students learn from their
assistant dean for
teachers and mentors. Teachers learn from their students and colleagues. Faculty
business services
members learn from their research. The spark of discovery shines in the eyes of
Ramon Cardona
students, faculty and staff alike.
associate dean for
academic affairs
In this issue of Focus on Science, you’ll see how college researchers are learn-
John C. Gilbert
ing more about planets in other solar systems, fuel cell technologies, disease and associate dean for
health professions
human relationships. Their discoveries could profoundly change the way that we
Jeanne M. Lagowski
live and view the world.
associate dean for
You’ll also read about researchers investigating the learning process itself. Dr.
undergraduate education
David A. Laude
Daniel Johnston, director of the Center for Learning and Memory (CLM), explores
assistant dean for
learning at its most fundamental cellular levels—at the level of neurons. Under
student affairs
Joy K. Lock
Johnston’s direction, the CLM promises to be at the forefront of learning and
assistant dean for
memory research. Dr. Peter Stone is using learning to create artificially intelligent
external relations
Kay Thomas
machines. The technologies he is inventing could be revolutionary, and his quest to
develop machine learning may also teach us more about how humans learn.
associate dean for
research and facilities
Natural Sciences students continue to have high quality educational opportu-
Peter J. Riley
nities through undergraduate research opportunities, outreach experiences, and
managing editor/writer
Lee Clippard
programs like UTeach. Our students and the citizens of Texas and the world ben-
contributing writers
efit from educational programs offered by the college.
Stephen Schenck
Maryam Tabatabai
Of course, all of these opportunities for learning and discovery are catalyzed
by the generous support of our alumni and friends. I deeply appreciate your sup-
design
David W. Steadman
port in helping us continue our mission to provide excellent, research-oriented
proofreading
education in science and to discover important new knowledge through research.
Sharon Bramblett
Without you, progress could not be made.
Focus on Science is published
with private funds donated to the
College of Natural Sciences.
With all my best wishes,
Copyright 2006 by the College
of Natural Sciences at The
I am cordially yours,
University of Texas at Austin.
Address all correspondence to:
The University of Texas at Austin
Attn: Director of Communications
College of Natural Sciences–
Mary Ann Rankin, Dean
Office of the Dean
College of Natural Sciences
1 University Station G2500
Austin, TX 78712-0548
Phone: 512 471 3285
focus@mail.ns.utexas.edu
CNS Web: cns.utexas.edu
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