Pitt announced today the new dean of the Honors College, Ed Stricker, a distinguished professor… Pitt announced today the new dean of the Honors College, Ed Stricker, a distinguished professor and former chair of the Neuroscience Department.

Stricker, who will assume his position as dean on July 1, 2011, was selected after undergoing an interview process over the past few months along with five other candidates. He will take over the post from interim dean Steve Husted as the college’s third dean since Glenn Alexander “Doc” Stewart was named the first dean in 1977. Stewart died last April, at 69 years old.

The new dean is internationally recognized as a a leading expert in homeostatic systems, specifically the control of fluid ingestion and the kidneys and their integration by the brain, according to a statement on Pitt’s website announcing the appointment.

Stricker began his career at Pitt in 1971 as an associate professor of psychology and biological sciences and became a full professor in 1976. He was named University Professor of Neuroscience in 1986, according to the statement.

The rank of University Professor of Neuroscience recognizes Striker’s accomplishments in several fields of study rather than in just one discipline.

After leading the effort to establish a Department of Neuroscience in Pitt’s School of Arts & Sciences, Striker served as chair of the department for 16 years, until 2002. He was also co-director of the University’s Center for Neuroscience from 1996-2002.

He has published a total of nearly 300 research articles, reviews and book chapters and has received the National Institute of Mental Health Research Scientist Award and the NIMH MERIT Award, both prestigious awards of scientific achievement in the research community.

Stricker has also won awards through the University, including the Chancellor’s Distinguished Teaching Award honoring teaching university-wide and the Bellet Teaching Excellence Award, recognizing teaching excellence in the School of Arts & Sciences.