12/19/06
Contact: Brian Keeter, (334) 844-4650 (bkeeter@auburn.edu), or
Deedie Dowdle, (334) 844-9999 (dowdldk@auburn.edu)

AUBURN UNIVERSITY NAMES RALPH ZEE ACTING HEAD FOR RESEARCH

AUBURN - Ralph H. Zee today was named acting associate provost and vice president for research at Auburn University.

Zee is the associate dean for research in the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering, a post he has held since 2001, where he directs the research efforts of eight academic departments and 11 research centers. His new position is effective Jan. 1, 2007.

“Innovation and academic discovery are central to Auburn’s mission and promote the economic and social well-being of Alabama, the Southeast and our nation,” said AU President Ed Richardson.

“Dr. Zee is an accomplished research leader, and I look forward to working with him,” Richardson said. “He and the alternative fuels committee have made great progress, and we will continue to move Auburn forward on this critical national priority with his leadership and insight.”

Richardson earlier this year elevated alternative energy research to a top university priority and committed $3 million toward the effort in fiscal year 2007. Zee serves as co-chair of Auburn’s alternative energy initiative, which promotes the development and use of renewable energy from natural resources.

Zee earned two master of science degrees and a Ph.D. in materials science from the University of Wisconsin. He came to Auburn in 1986 as an assistant professor in mechanical engineering and has steadily risen through the academic ranks.

Zee is filling the position held by Michael Moriarty, who is returning to the faculty in the College of Veterinary Medicine where he is a professor of physiology and pharmacology.

Moriarty has led Auburn’s research program since arriving from the University of Georgia in 1994. During his tenure as associate provost and vice president for research, he was instrumental in securing more than $3 million in competitive grants for his research on the detection of malignant tumors, a topic on which he has published more than 60 articles and papers. Moriarty held similar research positions at UGA and the University of Nebraska and has served as a department head, assistant provost and graduate school dean during his career.

“I appreciate Dr. Moriarty’s service to Auburn in the research office these past 12 years,” said Richardson. “Students in the College of Veterinary Medicine will gain from his background and experience.”

Auburn University is a preeminent land-grant and comprehensive research institution with more than 23,000 students and 6,500 faculty and staff. Ranked among the top 50 public universities nationally, Auburn offers more than 230 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degree programs.

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