American University of Sharjah (AUS) has appointed Dr. Richard Schoephoerster as the new Dean of the College of Engineering (CEN), starting from Fall 2016. He joined AUS from the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), where he served as Dean of the College of Engineering.

Dr. Schoephoerster ran an active research program in the area of biofluid mechanics and cardiovascular devices with a major focus on cardiac applications. He also led the efforts to establish the BS, MS, and PhD programs in biomedical engineering at Florida International University (FIU).

In announcing the appointment, AUS Chancellor, Dr. Björn Kjerfve said "We are pleased to have Dr. Schoephoerster joining our high caliber of AUS educators. Under his leadership, I am sure we will continue improving our engineering programs and research to benefit government and industry in the region." He wished Dr. Schoephoerster the very best in his new role as the Dean of the AUS College of Engineering.

Dr. Schoephoerster said, "It is my honor and privilege to begin my term as Dean of the College of Engineering at AUS. I am very excited to be working for a visionary leadership team, and working with such dynamic and pioneering faculty and staff to teach the best students in the region and effectively contribute to a diversified economy for Sharjah, the UAE, and the GCC."

Dr. Schoephoerster holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering, an MS in Mechanical Engineering, and a BS in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Iowa. Dr. Schoephoerster was the inaugural recipient of the Riter Endowed Professorship in Engineering at UTEP.