The Provost of the University of Washington, Tricia R. Serio, declared that Joel Thornton has consented to assume the role of interim dean for the College of the Environment, starting July 1, until a new permanent dean is appointed.

Thornton will take over the responsibility previously held by Maya Tolstoy, who has recently announced her departure from the UW.

As a professor and chair of the Department of Atmospheric and Climate Science, Thornton specializes in atmospheric chemistry. His research focuses on the effects of human actions on air quality and climate through alterations in the atmosphere’s composition and chemical properties. Thornton has been honored with an NSF CAREER Award and a NASA New Investigator Award, recognizing young scholars with exceptional potential. Moreover, he has received the Houghton Award from the American Meteorological Society and the ASCENT Award from the American Geophysical Union for his significant contributions to atmospheric science.

Serio indicated that a search advisory committee will be formed to initiate a nationwide search for a new dean this autumn.