Joseph Steinmetz, Arts and Sciences executive dean and vice provost, has named mathematics professor Peter March interim divisional dean of Natural and Mathematical Sciences effective October 1, 2010.

March has a bachelor’s degree with honors in mathematics from Dalhousie University and a doctoral degree in mathematics from the University of Minnesota. Since 2006, he has been serving as the director of the Division of Mathematical Sciences at the National Science Foundation. Prior to this appointment, March served as chair of the Department of Mathematics (1998-2006) and an associate director of the Mathematical Biosciences Institute (2003-2005).

“I am thrilled that Peter March has agreed to serve as Interim dean of the Natural and Mathematical Sciences,” Steinmetz said. “He has a great deal of administrative experience both here at Ohio State and more recently at the National Science Foundation. Professor March understands the key issues that confront the natural and mathematical sciences and I am confident he will provide important leadership for our efforts to further strengthen our research and teaching programs in the life, physical, and computational sciences within the College of Arts and Sciences.”