Martin Philbert, senior associate dean for research and professor of toxicology in the University of Michigan School of Public Health, has been appointed the new dean of the school.

President Mary Sue Coleman and Provost Phil Hanlon made the announcement Tuesday pending approval by the U-M Board of Regents. That approval is expected to come at the Regents meeting on Dec. 16. The appointment is effective Jan. 1.

In addition to working as senior associate dean for research at SPH since 2004, Philbert also served as interim director of the Center for Risk Science and Communication from 2004-10.

"President Coleman and I are very pleased that Dr. Philbert is assuming this vital leadership role in the School of Public Health," Hanlon said in a press release. "We are confident that he will provide impressive leadership for the School of Public Health, strengthening an already excellent school."

Philbert arrived at U-M in 1995 from Rutgers' Neurotoxicology Laboratories, where he was a research assistant professor. He has maintained a continuously federally funded portfolio of basic research activities throughout his career, U-M said. Most recently, his work has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Air Force and the National Cancer Institute.

At the national level, he is recognized for his expertise in neurotoxicology and experimental neuropathology. His work has resulted in two patents and two patents pending. Philbert is the author of numerous research publications in top peer-reviewed journals, and one book.

"This is a superb School of Public Health," Philbert said in a press release. "I look forward to continuing with my colleagues, the students and staff of SPH on the work of education, scholarship and service so that we can have a positive impact on the health of the public here in Michigan, the Great Lakes region, nationally and globally."