Expert in Coastal Marine
Ecosystems Named to Lead College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Steven Murray, a reknown researcher on
coastal marine ecosystem, has been named new dean of College
of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.
June 2, 2005 :: No. 230
Steven Murray, an international authority
on coastal marine ecosystems, has been named the new dean
for Cal State Fullerton’s College of Natural Sciences
and Mathematics. His appointment is effective July 1.
“Throughout his career, Steven
Murray has provided exceptional service and leadership
to the university, in his profession and in the community,”
said Ephraim P. Smith, vice president for academic affairs.
“As a longtime faculty member dedicated to not only
research but to mentoring and teaching, he will ensure that
the College of
Natural Sciences and Mathematics continues its
efforts to provide a high-quality education for tomorrow’s
scientific and mathematics leaders.”
A member of Cal State Fullerton faculty since
1971, Murray is renowned for his studies of marine and intertidal
ecology with emphasis on the impacts of humans. He has received
more than $1.8 million in grants from several federal agencies,
including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
“I’m looking forward to the opportunity
to work with the many outstanding faculty in our college in
my new role as dean,” said Murray. “Members of
this college have always placed high value on quality instruction
and providing research opportunities for our students. I am
confident that given the commitment of the faculty, we will
be able to work together to further grow and develop the excellent
academic programs and research opportunities we offer our
students.”
His recent research includes analyses of long-term
changes in Southern California coast marine communities, including
studies of non-native seaweeds that have invaded local coastal
waters. Murray and one of his students provided data used
to support a bill approved by the state Legislature that banned
the sale and possession of several species of a particular
seaweed sold for aquarium use because of fears that if released,
these species could spread rapidly and create large changes
in marine communities.
In 2003, Murray was named to the newly created
National Marine Protected Areas Federal Advisory Committee
— one of two Californians nominated to the 30-member
committee that provides advice and recommendations to the
secretaries of commerce and the interior on marine protected
areas. Murray also serves on the California Marine Life Protection
Act Science Planning Team, and has provided analyses for the
Commission for Environmental Cooperation of threats posed
by invasive seaweeds to the marine communities of Pacific
Mexico, U.S. and Canada.
Murray has authored or co-authored more than
100 papers, reviews, book chapters and technical reports and
is a member of several professional organizations, including
the Phycological Society of America, Western Society of Naturalists
and the Southern California Academy of Sciences.
He is equally esteemed as a dedicated educator
and was selected to receive Cal State Fullerton’s Outstanding
Professor Award in 2003. At the time of the announcement,
President Milton A. Gordon told Murray and his students: “You
were selected for this award because you embody the finest
qualities of our university’s faculty and that of the
California State University. You set a standard for the rest
of the faculty that is exemplary and one that should serve
as a model for everyone to emulate.”
In addition, Murray was honored twice —
in 1994-95 and 1996-97 — as the College of Natural Sciences
and Mathematics’ Distinguished Faculty Member.
Most recently, Murray has been involved in
the development of an international agreement among Cal State
Fullerton, the University of Connecticut and two Brazilian
universities — Universidade Federal Fluminense and Universidade
Federal da Paraíba. The agreement involves student
exchanges and opportunities to build faculty and student research
collaborations in coastal watersheds and marine environments
in the U.S. and Brazil.
The biologist has served in a number of campus
leadership positions, including chair, acting chair and vice
chair of biological science, acting associate dean of the
School of Mathematics, Science and Engineering in the 1980s
and acting director of athletics in 1994. He also served five
years as acting director of the CSU Ocean Studies Institute.
The Placentia resident holds a doctorate from
UCI, as well as bachelor’s and master’s degrees
from UC Santa Barbara.
Murray succeeds Kolf Jayaweera, who is retiring
after 15 years as dean of the college.
Maria Linder, chair and professor of chemistry
and biochemistry, chaired the search committee.
Media Contacts: |
Steven Murray at 657-278-7291 or
smurray@fullerton.edu
Pamela McLaren of Public Affairs at 657-278-4852 or pmclaren@fullerton.edu |
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