Michael Johnson is the new Dean of the College of Sciences.
Provost and Executive Vice President Tony G. Waldrop made the announcement this week. Johnson had been named interim dean earlier this summer when Peter Panousis, founding dean of the College of Sciences, announced that he was retiring.
A committee led by UCF Vice President of Medical Affairs and Dean of the College of Medicine Deborah German conducted a national search to identify the best candidate for the job.
“Mike was strongly recommended for the dean position by the search committee,” Waldrop said. “I am certain that he will provide exemplary leadership for the college.”
Johnson received his bachelor’s degree in applied mathematics and his Ph.D. in physics from the University of Virginia. He joined the faculty at the University of Central Florida as an assistant professor in 1990 after postdoctoral training at the University of Kentucky and Indiana University.
His research focuses on theoretical condensed matter physics. His recent work was on electronic properties in Nano scale systems, including quantum dots.
Johnson believes that research is very important and that it will continue to raise the university’s reputation thanks to the excellent faculty and students who make it happen on a daily basis.
“I am very proud of the accomplishments of our faculty, students and staff, and I am grateful for the opportunity to lead the college toward a very bright future,” he said.
Johnson is not new to administration. He has served in several administrative roles, including Associate Dean in the College of Sciences and Senior Advisor to the Provost.