After an exhaustive search, in which many outstanding candidates were considered, the Center for Analysis of Structures and Interfaces, referred to as CASI, has appointed Ms. Diane Beckford as Program Administrator/Coordinator for the Center.

CASI is an institutionalized research center, at the City College of New York, with a mission to foster an outstanding research environment that integrates research with education. The Center's goal is to use a multidisciplinary approach in the education and training of the next generation of scientists who focus on molecular nanomaterials and their uses in fabricating molecular nanodevices. Students in the Center participate in all facets of research activities, including syntheses of materials, materials characterization, and device fabrications. Moreover, their training is multidiscipline and collaborative, and transcends not only the Center's institutional boundaries and disciplines, but national boundaries as well. Its director, distinguished service professor of Chemistry, Dr. Daniel L. Akins, spearheads the Center's growth and focus. Dr. Akins is very pleased to have Ms. Beckford as a member of the CASI team.

Ms. Beckford, formerly the Coordinator of Program Development and Training at LaGuardia Community College, holds a BS in computer science from Polytechnic University and a MS in telecommunications from Pace University.

Ms. Beckford has a wealth of experience in strategic planning, corporate planning, resource allocation, information technology, education and training. Her years of experience as Principal Investigator/Project Coordinator for various workforce development projects at LaGuardia Community College will be invaluable to CASI and its continued mission and commitment to fostering excellence in science and engineering, education and research.

It is to be noted that in 2000, CASI was institutionalized as a CUNY research Center based upon the widely acknowledged research accomplishments of the Center's faculty and students, its outstanding retention rate, the positive local and regional impacts regarding contributions of CASI graduates, and the Center's impact in nationally increasing the number of minority Ph.D. graduates in science and engineering. CASI is presently involved at the leading edge in nanotechnology materials syntheses and applications

In the past CASI has graduated a substantial number of Ph.D.s who have gone on to utilize their talents and to continue their development through position in industry and academia. Currently CASI supports 10 Ph.D. candidates.

CASI's director, Dr. Akins, views this period as a very exciting, challenging and opportune time for the Center. The selection committee that chose Ms. Beckford has expressed the view that she is well suited to help lead our efforts to produce even more Ph.D.s, who will contribute to scientific and technological leadership, at the highest levels, in the United States as well as within the global community, in fulfillment of CASI's charge and mission.