Dear Colleagues,

It is my pleasure to announce that Paul Brandt-Rauf has been named Dean of the School of Public Health, effective July 1, 2008, pending approval of the University of Illinois Board of Trustees.  Dr. Brandt-Rauf is currently Professor and Chair of Environmental Health Sciences at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health.  Sylvia Furner, who has served ably as Interim Dean since 2006, has agreed to continue in that capacity until Dr. Brandt-Rauf’s arrival.

Since 1985, Dr. Brandt-Rauf has held various faculty appointments at Columbia University and is currently Deputy Director of the Columbia Center for Environmental Health in Northern Manhattan and Professor of Earth and Environmental Engineering and Medicine.  He received his bachelor's, master's and doctor of science degrees in applied chemistry and chemical engineering, his medical degree, and his master's and doctor of public health degrees in environmental sciences from Columbia University.  He completed a residency in internal medicine at Georgetown University Medical Center and a residency in internal medicine and occupational medicine at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center.  

Dr. Brandt-Rauf's research bridges population, biologic and environmental sciences to examine the relationship between exposure to certain environmental factors, genetics and cancer.  He has conducted global research on biomarkers of vinyl chloride and asbestos and has published more than 200 articles in peer-reviewed publications, focused primarily on cancer-related proteins and their role as biomarkers for disease.  He has served as editor-in-chief of the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine since 1992 and contributing editor of the International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health since 1996. 

I am delighted to have recruited an engaging and renowned scholar and researcher to head a school known for its innovative research and service initiatives in Chicago and abroad. The School of Public Health and UIC will benefit tremendously from his broad vision of public health and ability to bridge research and teaching across disciplines.

Sincerely,

R. Michael Tanner
Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs