PRESS RELEASE

April 4, 2005

American University of Armenia Corporation
300 Lakeside Drive, 4th Floor
Oakland, CA 94612
Telephone: (510) 987-9452
Fax: (510) 208-3576

Contact: Gohar Momjian
E-mail: gohar@auac.net

AUA Appoints Harvard Grad, Renee Richer to Lead Environment Program

A faculty search committee chaired by American University of Armenia
(AUA)’s Vice-President for Research and Development, Dr. Kenell
Touryan, announces the selection of Dr. Renee Richer to direct
AUA’s Environmental Research and Conservation (ECRC) Center and her
appointment as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Richer received her Ph.D. in
June 2004 from Harvard University in Biology and her Bachelor’s Degree
from the University of Chicago. She recently received the Derek Bok
teaching award given by Harvard students for excellence in all areas
of instruction.

Dr. Renee Richer’s graduate research took place over a 3 and
1/2 year period in the rural forests of Zimbabwe. Her thesis work
required procuring nearly $300,000 of funding and leading a team of
15 multinational assistants in rural Zimbabwe and in the laboratory.
She worked closely with the University of Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe
Forestry Commission, in addition to leading an American and Zimbabwean
exchange project with local Zimbabwean and American primary schools
to facilitate cultural exchange and encourage environmental awareness
and participation in science.

“We welcome Dr. Richer to AUA and are confident that her international
research experience in developing countries, commitment to
environmental conservation, and strong record of independent funding,
will serve our programs and Armenia well,” stated VP Kenell Touryan.

Established in 1992, the Environmental Conservation and Research
Center conducts research into conservation, ecology, environmental
contamination, and sustainable development in the Republic of Armenia,
and serves the community through education outreach programs and
collaboration with local scientists and organizations. ECRC is funded
by the generous support of Mr. Sarkis Acopian.

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AUA is registered as a non-profit educational organization in both
Armenia and the United States and is affiliated with the Regents
of the University of California. Receiving major support from the
AGBU, AUA offers instruction leading to the Masters Degree in eight
graduate programs. For more information about AUA, visit or
For more information about the AUA Environmental
Conservation and Research Center visit

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress