University of Delaware Provost Robin W. Morgan announced on Thursday, June 28, that Douglas Doren, deputy dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, has been named interim vice provost for graduate and professional education.

Doren, a professor of chemistry and biochemistry, will fill the position being vacated by Ann Ardis, who will be leaving the University this summer to become dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at George Mason University in Virginia.

“Doug has proven his skills and talents as a leader in the College of Arts and Sciences, and I look forward to working with him as we move forward with plans to create a graduate college at UD,” Morgan said. “With his leadership, we will strengthen our existing programs in graduate and professional education while establishing the foundations for the next stages of growth in graduate education at the University.”

Doren arrived at UD in 1988 as an assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry. He became a full professor in 1999, and joined the dean’s office in 2007. He  has served as interim associate dean for Natural Sciences and Mathematics, associate dean for Research, and from 2009 through 2015, he was associate dean for the Natural Sciences. He became acting deputy dean for the College of Arts and Sciences in 2014 and deputy dean in 2016.

Doren earned his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and computer science at the University of California at Berkeley, and his doctorate in chemical physics at Harvard University. He also did postdoctoral work at AT&T Bell Labs. His research uses methods of theoretical and computational chemistry to study problems in semiconductor surface chemistry, STM imaging of molecules at semiconductor interfaces, electronic properties of semiconductor materials for photochemistry and solar energy, catalysis for biomass transformation, and aqueous solvation in extreme conditions. 

His appointment takes effect July 1.