Professor Ermias Kebreab began his appointment July 1 as the associate vice provost of Academic Programs in Global Affairs. He succeeds Adrienne Martín, professor of Spanish in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese, who has taken emeritus status after 20 years at UC Davis.

Kebreab holds the Sesnon Endowed Chair in the Department of Animal Science and serves as the deputy director of the Agricultural Sustainability Institute.

“We are excited for his leadership and his role in further advancing UC Davis’ global presence,” said Joanna Regulska, vice provost and associate chancellor of Global Affairs, who announced Kebreab’s appointment.

Kebreab lists his current research interests as greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture; energy and nutrient utilization/requirement models in cattle, swine and poultry; and sustainable agriculture, in particular animal production in relation to environmental sustainability. “He is deeply involved globally,” Regulska said, citing Kebreab’s résumé that includes Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Peru, China, Vietnam, Thailand, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Ghana, South Africa, United Kingdom, Denmark and Italy.

In Global Affairs, his primary responsibility is to promote, facilitate and provide leadership, and assist UC Davis faculty in pursuing international programs, activities and initiatives.

Martín joined the former University Outreach and International Programs in 2011 as associate vice provost for International Programs, and served as the interim vice provost of the newly named Office of Global Affairs in 2014-15 while the university conducted the search that led to Regulska’s appointment.

“She has been an integral part of our office as she provided invaluable leadership for UC Davis international initiatives and programs,” Regulska said. “Most recently she has contributed to our initiative to identify if and where UC Davis should establish global centers.”

Martín continues with her research in early modern Spanish literature and still directs dissertations in the Spanish and Portuguese department. She maintains an office in Sproul Hall.

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