Emil Reisler, a long-time academic leader at UCLA and a renowned biochemist whose work explores the functioning of proteins at the molecular level, has been named dean of life sciences in UCLA's College of Letters and Science.

Reisler's appointment, which is pending approval by the UC Board of Regents, is effective July 1, 2004. Reisler is currently acting dean of life sciences, a role he assumed with the retirement of dean Fred Eiserling in December 2003.

As dean of life sciences, Professor Reisler will also be senior associate dean for life sciences in the David Geffen School of Medicine.

"The interests of faculty and students in the life sciences often extend well beyond traditional academic boundaries," said Albert Carnesale, chancellor of UCLA. "As a biochemist and molecular biologist, Professor Reisler brings a strong appreciation of collaboration among many disciplines that is crucial to the flourishing of the life sciences."

Reisler joined the UCLA faculty in 1976. His research and teaching focus on understanding the molecular-level functioning of proteins, and their interaction in motion and force generation in muscle and non-muscle cells. His work has been supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, Muscular Dystrophy Association, and the American Heart Association. He received the Hanson-Dow Award for Excellence in Teaching from the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry in 1995.

Reisler has been an academic leader of the UCLA Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, serving as vice chair from 1989 to 1991, and Chair from 1997 to 2001. Before assuming the role of acting dean, he had been associate dean of life sciences from September to December 2003.

"The Life Sciences bring together an extraordinary range of interests, from research and teaching about the smallest elements of a living system to the life of cells, the complexity of brain function, and the most diverse ecological phenomena on Earth," said Reisler. "Life Sciences are especially challenging and exciting, as new technologies and interdisciplinary interactions expand the scope of our fields and accelerate discoveries."

Several of UCLA's nationally highly-ranked academic programs are in the five departments of life sciences: ecology and evolutionary biology; microbiology, immunology, and molecular genetics; molecular, cell, and developmental biology; physiological science; and psychology. The life sciences include 140 faculty, 5,500 undergraduates studying in nine undergraduate majors, 500 graduate students, and several interdisciplinary research units.

"Emil is a superb scientist and a marvelous administrator," said Judith L. Smith, acting executive dean of the UCLA College of Letters and Science. "He is a strong advocate for the life sciences, and for building toward new advances and imaginative alliances in these critical fields of study."