UC Berkeley professor Barbara Allen-Diaz, associate vice president of Agriculture and Natural Resources, was appointed today (Sept. 15) by the Board of  Regents to a term position as head of the university’s statewide agricultural and natural resources programs.

As UC systemwide vice president for Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR), Allen-Diaz will lead the university’s  research and outreach activities in food systems, environmental sciences, family and consumer sciences, forestry, community development, 4-H youth development and related areas. The appointment is effective for up to three years, beginning October 1, 2011.

“For more than 140 years, UC has provided California farmers the research and new technology they need to compete in global markets,” said UC President Mark G. Yudof. “Together, we have developed new crops varieties and some of the most progressive and environmentally friendly farming practices to produce an abundant and safe supply of food. Under the leadership of Barbara Allen-Diaz, ANR will continue its legacy of working within California communities to address new challenges.”

ANR programs, including Cooperative Extension and the Agricultural Experiment Station, are located on UC’s Berkeley, Davis and Riverside campuses, with nine research and extension centers and more than 50 county offices throughout the state, with nearly 1,000 Agricultural Experiment Station faculty, Cooperative Extension specialists and Cooperative Extension advisors.

“I am deeply honored to be selected as vice president for Agriculture and Natural Resources,” said Allen-Diaz. “I am privileged to work with incredibly dedicated, hard-working people who possess exceptional expertise and a passion to find solutions to the most pressing problems facing California agriculture, natural resources and our youth.”

The first woman to lead UC’s Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Allen-Diaz succeeds Daniel M. Dooley, who was appointed in January 2008. In November 2008, Dooley agreed to take on additional responsibilities as senior vice president for External Affairs and he has served since then in both roles.  Given the increasing demands of the two roles, it is no longer feasible for one individual to cover both positions.

As Dooley resigns his position as vice president-Agriculture and Natural Resources on October 1, Allen-Diaz will succeed him as vice president, reporting directly to the provost and executive vice president-Academic Affairs.

In addition to his title as senior vice president for external relations, Dooley will be named senior advisor to the President on Agriculture and Natural Resources and will be available to advise Allen-Diaz, Provost Lawrence Pitts and President Yudof on issues related to agriculture and natural resources and the strategic direction of ANR.

Allen-Diaz is an effective and seasoned leader in the Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, where she has served as associate vice president-Academic Programs and Strategic Initiatives since 2009 and as assistant vice president–programs since 2007. She is currently on leave from her position as a tenured faculty member in the College of Natural Resources on the Berkeley campus, where she has worked since 1986. She also holds the prestigious Russell Rustici Chair in Rangeland Management.

“I am very excited about Barbara stepping into this role,” said Dooley. “As a member of a farming family, I have a personal investment in ANR and I know she cares deeply about the organization. I respect her as a scientist and have confidence in her capability to lead ANR.”

Allen-Diaz was among 2,000 scientists recognized for their work on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), when the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded jointly to the IPCC and Vice President Al Gore in 2007. Allen-Diaz's contributions focused on the effects of climate change on rangeland species and landscapes. She has authored more than 160 research articles and presentations and is an active participant in her professional society; she has served on its board of directors and on various government panels.

Allen-Diaz will receive an annual salary of $280,000, along with the following additional items university policy: standard pension and health and welfare benefits and standard senior management benefits, including Senior Manager Life Insurance, Executive Business Travel Insurance and Executive Salary Continuation for Disability, and use of administrative funds for official entertainment and other purposes permitted by university policy.

Allen-Diaz earned a B.A. in anthropology, an M.S. in range management and a Ph.D. in wildland resource sciences, all from UC Berkeley.