Venezuelan scientist Santiago Schnell will direct the Notre Dame School of Sciences

Venezuelan scientist Santiago Schnell, chair of the Department of Molecular Physiology and Integration at the University of Michigan Medical School, has been appointed dean of the University of Notre Dame’s School of Science by President John A. Jenkins.

Schnell’s appointment takes effect on 1 September. He will also hold a permanent position as a professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the College of Science, according to Notre Dame site.

“Santiago is an internationally recognized expert in theoretical and mathematical biology, an accomplished academic leader, and someone drawn to the distinctive mission of Notre Dame Catholic,” said Father Jenkins.

The portal also notes that as dean of the College of Science, Schnell will head six departments. It will also guide the university in carrying out its mission to prepare the scientific leaders of tomorrow and its commitment to forge ahead with progress that answers the world’s toughest questions and solves its longest-standing problems.

Academic and scientific honor

Schnell has received numerous honors in teaching and research, including designation as a 21st Century Academic Scientist by the James S. McDonnell Foundation and Emerging Pioneer in Health and Medicine by the National Academy of Medicine. He is a member of the Royal Society of Chemistry, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Society for Mathematical Biology, and the Academia Latinoamericana de Ciencias.

Schnell is currently editor-in-chief of the scientific journal Mathematical Biosciences, and also serves on the editorial boards of Biomath, Current Opinion in Systems Biology, Cancer Research, Biophysical Chemistry, Biomolecular Concepts, and The Journal of Theoretical Biology. In addition, he is a member of the Enzyme Data Reporting Standards Committee. He has published over 150 peer-reviewed articles, several book chapters and one book.

“I am honored and honored to serve as William K. Warren’s Dean of the College of Science. The University plays a central role in shaping generations of scholars through its research, teaching, and service opportunities within the Catholic intellectual tradition of the University of Notre Dame,” Schnell said.

Schnell holds a BA in Biology from Simon Bolivar University in Venezuela and a Ph.D. in Mathematical Biology from Oxford University in the United Kingdom. After completing his doctoral studies, he held two prestigious research positions at Oxford: Junior Research Fellow at Christchurch College and Wellcome Trust Research Fellow at the Wolfson Center for Mathematics Biology.