The Log | School News

William Chameides Takes Over as Dean of the Nicholas School

Atmospheric chemist William L. Chameides, chief scientist for Environmental Defense and Regents’ Professor Emeritus at Georgia Institute of Technology, became the Nicholas School’s third dean on Sept 1.

Chameides, 57, succeeds William H. Schlesinger, who stepped down June 1 after six years as dean to become president and director of the Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook, N.Y.

Chameides’ appointment followed an international search involving more than 100 candidates.The search advisory committee was chaired by M. Susan Lozier, professor of physical oceanography and chair of the Division of Earth and Ocean Sciences in the Nicholas School.

“Bill Chameides is a creative, visionary leader who is widely respected in the academic and nonacademic environmental communities, both as a research scientist and for his ability to bring people together around complicated environmental issues,” said Duke University Provost Peter Lange, the university’s chief academic officer. “President (Richard H.) Brodhead and I believe Bill has the global perspective, the scientific insight, and the administrative and communications experience needed to build upon the Nicholas School’s nationally recognized excellence in research and in training scientists and policymakers.”

Chameides joined Environmental Defense, a national environmental nonprofit organization, in 2005 as chief scientist after spending more than three decades in academia. As chief scientist, he advised Environmental Defense on scientific issues, oversaw its research programs and acted as its chief communicator for explaining science to nonscientific audiences.

As a researcher, Chameides focuses on chemical, physical and biological processes that interact to shape the environment, thereby helping to identify possible pathways toward a sustainable future.

Chameides is a member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and a fellow of the American Geophysical Union, from which he received the Macelwane Award for “significant contributions to the geophysical sciences by an outstanding young scientist.” He was named a National Associate of the National Academies “in recognition of extraordinary service.”

“I have had the privilege to work for Environmental Defense, a truly exceptional organization advocating for the environment,” Chameides said.“I now have the honor of being chosen to lead one of the nation’s leading academic programs in the environment.”

“The environmental issues facing society are myriad and daunting, but they are tractable,” he said.“They will require a new kind of professional, with an interdisciplinary approach and an understanding that spans the physical and biological sciences to the social sciences; the kind of professional that the Nicholas School trains. (Former deans) Norm Christensen and Bill Schlesinger have done a magnificent job of bringing the Nicholas School to its current status as a leading institution. I look forward to working with the Duke community and the challenge of bringing the school to a new level of excellence.”

Chameides has experience in a variety of administrative and environmental venues, including serving twice as chair of the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at Georgia Tech,where he was the Regents’ Professor and Smithgall Chair until 2005.

While at Georgia Tech, he served from 1995 to 2001 as chief scientist of the Southern Oxidants Study, a multi-institutional research program focused on understanding the causes and remedies for ground-level ozone pollution in the southern United States. From 1996 to 2001, he also was study director of CHINA-MAP, an international research program examining the effects of environmental change on agriculture in China.

From 1997 to 2000, Chameides chaired the National Research Council’s Committee on Air Quality Management in the United States. As chair, he led a team of experts that evaluated the effectiveness of the Clean Air Act’s major air quality provisions and their implementation by federal, state and local government agencies.The committee also recommended ways to strengthen the nation’s air quality management system.

Chameides holds doctoral and master’s degrees from Yale University and received his bachelor of arts degree from The State University of New York at Binghamton.

Widely recognized for his ability to communicate science to nonscientists, Chameides has authored or co-authored more than 130 scientific publications and six books, and he blogged on global warming for Environmental Defense at climate411.org. He also did a question-and-answer series for Environmental Defense, called “Ask Dr. Bill,” in which he gave practical advice for individuals wanting to combat global warming.“Dr. Bill” was produced as a video that is available on YouTube, the popular Web site dedicated to amateur videos.

Chameides and his wife, Bonnie, have three sons and four grandchildren.