UC Berkeley College of Chemistry's professor of chemistry and associate dean for diversity, equity and inclusion Anne M. Baranger has been named the interim dean of the college, effective July 1, 2025. A respected chemist and educator, her career has focused on advancing equity, sustainability and innovation.
As the granddaughter of College of Chemistry alumnus and Nobel Laureate Harold Urey (PhD, Chemistry, 1923) and the daughter of physicist Elizabeth Urey Baranger—one of the pioneering women in her field—it is fitting that Professor Baranger is the first woman dean at the college. She was raised in an environment where the pursuit of science was not only encouraged, but expected. She recalls summers spent with her grandfather, who believed that "everyone, including women, should get PhDs in science."
Professor Baranger earned her B.S. in chemistry from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1988 and went on to complete a PhD in chemistry at UC Berkeley in 1993 under the mentorship of Professor Robert Bergman. She continued her training as a postdoctoral fellow with Professor Alanna Schepartz at Yale University.
Professor Baranger launched her independent research career at Wesleyan University and later joined the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she held multiple leadership positions including associate head of the Department of Chemistry and director of graduate studies. She was also a Chancellor's Fellow in the Illinois Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (I-STEM) Education Initiative.
In 2011, she joined the College of Chemistry, where she served as director of undergraduate chemistry until 2020, when she was announced as associate dean. During this time, she became a driving force behind educational reform, diversity initiatives, and curriculum development.
"I've had the great pleasure of working closely with Anne on many initiatives during my time at the College of Chemistry, and I'm confident that her leadership experience will be a major asset to our community," said Doug Clark, who has served as the college's dean since 2013. "Our college has a storied history, and I have no doubt Anne will be energized by the opportunity to enrich its legacy."
Among the many initiatives and responsibilities Professor Baranger has taken on is leading a team on the design of a green chemistry curriculum for UC Berkeley's Chem 1AL, a non-majors laboratory course. This work earned her team the ACS-CEI Award for Incorporating Sustainability into Chemistry Education in 2015 for its innovative approach to embedding sustainability into chemistry education.
Michelle Douskey (from left), Lauren Irie, Anne Baranger, and Laura Armstrong of University of California, Berkeley, examine the results of an octanol-water partitioning experiment in Chem 1AL. Photo courtesy: Anne Baranger
She was also the driving force behind the introduction of Chem 32, a preparatory course designed to support students who may need additional help before tackling general chemistry. This course has successfully raised success rates and improved outcomes for many students.
Professor Baranger's impact extends far beyond the classroom. As associate dean, she has implemented structural changes within the College of Chemistry. She led the establishment of regular student-run climate surveys and championed the hiring of the college's first chief diversity officer. Through her work, she fosters a more inclusive academic environment and ensures student voices help shape institutional policy.
She also led the team that created the course Scientific Responsibility and Citizenship, a discussion-based seminar focused on the social and environmental responsibilities of chemists. The course equips students to think critically about the impact of their work on society and the planet—underscoring Professor Baranger's belief that scientific excellence must be accompanied by ethical awareness. Her many efforts have been recognized with several honors, including an Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship and the Department of Chemistry Teaching Award.
"It is a true honor to serve the College of Chemistry, a national and international treasure in scientific research and education," said Professor Baranger. "This appointment is deeply meaningful to me on a personal level—reflecting my own academic journey as a PhD student at Berkeley in the 1980s, my return to the university nearly fifteen years ago, and my family's connection to the college. I am fully committed to sustaining and doing all I can to enhance this world-class environment."