Dean Christopher I. Byrnes, Ph.D., the Edward H. and Florence G. Skinner Professor in Systems Science and Mathematics, announced that he would step down as dean on June 30 and remain as a faculty member.

The committee has already begun its work and will seek to narrow down the field to approximately five candidates. It hopes to help find Byrnes' replacement as soon as possible, according to Wrighton.

Jonathan S. Turner, Ph.D., the Henry Edwin Sever Professor of Engineering and professor of computer science and engineering, has been named by Wrighton as the committee's chair.

Other members are:

• Richard L. Axelbaum, Ph.D., associate professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering;

• Milorad (Mike) Dudukovic, Ph.D., the Laura and William Jens Professor of Environmental Engineering and chair of the Department of Chemical Engineering;

• Shirley Dyke, Ph.D., professor of civil engineering;

• Stephen E. Forbes, graduate student in mechanical and aerospace engineering;

• Stacey G. Galvez, undergraduate student;

• Sandor J. Kovacs, Ph.D., M.D., associate professor of medicine, associate professor of physics in Arts & Sciences and associate professor of biomedical engineering;

• John C. (Chris) Kroeger, associate dean of engineering and applied science;

• Joseph A. O'Sullivan, Ph.D., professor of electrical and systems engineering, associate professor of radiology and professor of biomedical engineering;

• Himadri B. Pakrasi, Ph.D., professor of biology in Arts & Sciences;

• Shelly Sakiyama-Elbert, Ph.D., assistant professor of biomedical engineering;

• Henry G. (Gerry) Schwartz, Ph.D., senior professor and director of engineering management and member of the School of Engineering & Applied Science National Council; and

• Stuart A. Solin, Ph.D., the Charles M. Hohenberg Professor of Experimental Physics in Arts & Sciences and director of the Center for Materials Innovation.