Leadership

Dean of the School of Natural Sciences

Michael Findlater joined UC Merced in 2021 as a Professor of Chemistry. Prior to coming to UC Merced, Michael was a faculty member at Texas Tech University, where he won awards for research and teaching and where, as Graduate Director for the Department of Chemistry, he played a key role in increasing graduate student enrollment and associated funding support. Since joining UC Merced, Michael has served as the Graduate Chair in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and as Chair of the Committee on Academic Planning and Resource Allocation (CAPRA).

Michael received his Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin in 2008. He is the author of more than 80 peer-reviewed articles and holds two patents, with others filed. His research is regularly funded by the Department of Energy, National Science Foundation, various foundations, and industry. He was elected a fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry in 2023.