Professor Merlin Crossley has accepted the offer of a second five-year term as Dean of the Faculty of Science at UNSW. Vice-Chancellor Professor Fred Hilmer says the early announcement of a new term is recognition of Professor Crossley’s outstanding performance. “Under Professor Crossley’s leadership, the Faculty of Science has emerged as one of the success stories of UNSW,” Professor Hilmer said. “Research results have been strong, particularly in winning major grants, and student enrolments have increased significantly. “Professor Crossley has proved to be a visible and strong presence for science.” A highly distinguished molecular biologist and former Rhodes Scholar, Professor Crossley worked at Oxford, Harvard, and the University of Sydney before joining UNSW in 2010 as Dean of Science. His research on genetic diseases and gene regulation has been recognised with several awards, including the Australian Academy of Science's Gottschalk Medal. “I have found UNSW to be a highly professional university that strives to contribute to the modern world, a place where science is connected to business, engineering, medicine, and the arts, as well as to industry and the community,” Professor Crossley said. “I thank my colleagues for all their efforts over the last few years and for creating a culture where the quest for knowledge and good ideas never ends.” Media contact: Denise Knight, UNSW Media Office, 02 9385 3249, d.knight@unsw.edu.au