ASU Announces Personnel Changes at Polytechnic Campus


MESA, Ariz. -- Arizona State University announced today the appointments of key personnel at the Polytechnic campus to lead academic units in applied psychology, computing studies, the library and nutrition.

Brian Doherty has been named the director of the Library at ASU's Polytechnic campus, replacing Charles Brownson who retired. Doherty has 15 years of experience as a library administrator at libraries of increasing size and complexity, most recently serving as head of the Music Library at ASU's Tempe campus.

In his positions of increasing responsibility, he has achieved and implemented changes to improve service to faculty and students. While in Tempe, Doherty was able to implement an online audio reserve system, streamlining the process for faculty and students.

Prior to coming to ASU in 2002, he was the head of the Music Library at Missouri State University where he was instrumental in integrating the music periodicals into the general periodicals collection, freeing up space in the Music Library; upgrading the computer lab with new Macintosh computers; and establishing Internet connections to the media/computer lab to better serve students and faculty.

Doherty earned a Bachelor of Music from Westminster Choir College, an M.A. in Music History and Theory and a Master of Library Services from Rutgers, and his Ph.D. in Musicology from the University of Kansas.

Robert Gray, associate professor of applied psychology, was appointed as program head of the Applied Psychology program, replacing Roger Schvaneveldt, who is stepping down and will continue on as a professor of the program when he returns from sabbatical.

Gray joined the Applied Psychology program in 2001, coming from a position as a research scientist with the Nissan Technical Center North America.

His research interests are in tactile perception and perceptual-motor control in flying, driving and sports. In 2003 he was awarded a National Science Foundation (NSF) Early Career Development Award, and NSF recently funded his grant project, "Sensory Integration of Multimodal Human Computer Interfaces."

He earned a B.A. in psychology from Queen's University, Ontario, Canada, and his M.A. and Ph.D. in experimental psychology from York University, Ontario.

Ben Huey was named the chair of the Division of Computing Studies in the College of Technology and Innovation at the Polytechnic campus, replacing Timothy Lindquist who was named interim dean for the college in May.

Huey has served most recently as the associate dean for Planning and Administration as well as associate professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering in the Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering at the Tempe campus.

He was one of the founding members of the computer science and engineering department at ASU in 1980, and has been involved in its leadership ever since. Huey's research focuses on high-level design languages for digital hardware, automated synthesis, design validation, and automated test program generation.

He is the past chair of the Computing Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology and recognized nationally for his work in professional accreditation of computer science and computer engineering programs.

Huey earned his B.S. in mathematics from Harding University, and his M.S. and Ph.D. in electrical engineering from the University of Arizona.

Carol Johnston, professor in the Department of Nutrition in School of Applied Arts & Sciences, has been named chair of the department, replacing Linda Vaughan who is stepping down and will continue on as a professor of the department.

Johnston joined ASU in 1986 as an assistant professor in the Department of Family Resources and Human Development on the Tempe campus, and came to the Polytechnic campus to help form the Department of Nutrition in 2000.

Johnston is an expert in vitamin C metabolism, which she has researched and authored papers and books about it. Her other research interests include the efficacy of high-protein diets for weight loss and health, and the use of vinegar to help manage blood glucose levels.

In 2004, she received the American College of Nutrition's Grace Goldsmith Award for significant achievements in the field of nutrition.

Johnston earned a B.S. in nutrition from the University of Michigan, and her M.S. and Ph.D. in biological sciences from the University of Texas, Austin. She is a registered dietitian and certified nutrition specialist.

All appointments are effective July 1, 2006.