Texas A&M’s new head of chemistry plans to reform curriculum, increase graduation rates

Franois P. Gabba, who was appointed earlier this month as head of Texas A&Ms Department of Chemistry, recently outlined his vision and priorities, including creating new concentration areas for undergraduates, reforming the graduate curriculum and setting milestones to accelerate average graduation rates.

When he spoke last week to the College of Sciences External Advisory and Development Council, Gabbadetailed how hed like to enhance department-wide dialogue and efforts toward technology commercialization.

Gabba who was appointed by H. Joseph Newton, dean of the College of Science is widely regarded as one of the worlds top experts in the diverse field of main group chemistry. He is holder of the A.E. Martell Endowed Chair and has been a member of the Texas A&M chemistry faculty since 1998. He replaces David H. Russell, who served since 2006 as department head and has returned to full-time research and teaching-related priorities.

I truly believe Dr. Gabba is the right person at the right time to preserve Texas A&M chemistrys strengths and in fact lead the department to the next level with profound impact not only on the departments future, but also that of the College of Science and broader university as well, Newton said in a press release.

Gabbas resume shows he earned his doctorate in chemistry from the University of Texas at Austin in 1994 and completed postdoctoral work at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) under concurrent Alexander von Humboldt and Marie Curie fellowships. Prior to coming to Texas, he studied at the University of Bordeaux, France, earning his masters of science degree in chemistry in 1990. Before being appointed to the Martell Chair this past spring, he had served as a Davidson Professor of Science and a joint holder of the Davidson Chair in Science since 2008.

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Texas A&M's new head of chemistry plans to reform curriculum, increase graduation rates