John Aber is the new provost and vice president for academic affairs at UNH, pending approval by the Executive Committee of the USNH Board of Trustees.

Aber, a renowned research scientist and professor of natural resources, was one of three finalists for the position. Earlier this spring, he was named a University Professor, UNH's highest form of recognition for excellence in teaching, scholarship and engagement.

UNH President Mark W. Huddleston, in naming Aber to the position, said, "John Aber embodies the best of UNH: excellence in teaching, research and service. He has contributed enormously to the worlds of higher education and science, not only at UNH, but around the country and around the globe."

In 2003, Aber was ranked 11th in the world in the field of ecology/environmental science by the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI), an organization that measures how frequently a scientist's work is cited by other researchers. His appointment, pending approval by the Executive Committee of the USNH Board of Trustees, is expected to begin with the start of the fall semester.