Arup Chakraborty new Department Head of Theoretical and Computational Biology
In December 2003, Division Director Graham Fleming named Arup Chakraborty to head the reorganized Computational and Theoretical Biology Department. Chakraborty will lead the division's efforts to develop new computational strategies to analyze and predict solutions to biological problems. Division Director Graham Fleming said that "Chakraborty's distinguished research in areas as disparate as inter-cellular communication in the immune system and polymer science brings a bold and broad perspective to the rapidly growing demands of theoretical biology." Chakraborty serves as the Warren and Katherine Schlinger Distinguished Professor of Chemical Engineering and Professor of Chemistry, and the Chair of Chemical Engineering at UC Berkeley.

In February 2004, Arup Chakraborty was elected to the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) for his accomplishments in applying theoretical chemistry to practical problems in immune system recognition, polymer interfaces, sensor technology, and catalysis. Election to the National Academy of Engineering is among the highest professional distinctions accorded to an engineer. Academy membership honors those who have made "important contributions to engineering theory and practice, including significant contributions to the literature of engineering theory and practice," and those who have demonstrated accomplishment in "the pioneering of new fields of engineering, making major advancements in traditional fields of engineering, or developing/implementing innovative approaches to engineering education." "I am very pleased to be recognized by the National Academy," said Chakraborty. "It reflects the wonderful environment for doing research at Berkeley Lab and the campus."