Researcher and health policy expert Barry R. Bloom was named the next dean of the School of Public Health, President Neil L. Rudenstine announced on June 11.

A microbiology and immunology professor at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in Manhattan, Bloom brings a scientific perspective to important public health issues, Rudenstine said.

"Behind his many accomplishments lie a devotion to illuminating the fundamental mechanisms of disease and to improving the health of human communities around the world," Rudenstine said in a statement.

Bloom is a major proponent of using current research in crafting health policy decisions to prevent the spread of infectious diseases such as AIDS and tuberculosis.

An active member of numerous health watchdog organizations and a prolific writer, Bloom is also a strong advocate for promoting health in developing countries and reducing health disparities between populations.

Bloom put together a report on world health that is considered a mandate for America taking more international responsibility on health issues, said Provost Harvey V. Fineberg '67.

"It's in America's best interest to...incorporate into our national thinking a form of security that looks beyond military security," Fineberg said.

Bloom's appointment marks the end of a chain of job switching that began a year ago, when former Provost Albert Carnesale left Harvard to become chancellor of the University of California at Los Angeles.

Rudenstine filled Carnesale's position by appointing Fineberg, then dean of the School of Public Health, as provost.

Bloom fills Fineberg's former spot, which for the past academic year has been occupied by James H. Ware, who is also master of Cabot House.

Ware said he was a finalist for the permanent position but would not have been able to continue as master if he had been chosen.

"I feel it's a great outcome," Ware said. "[Bloom] is a wonderful guy, and I really look forward to working with him."

Aside from being chair of his department at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bloom has little administrative experience, Fineberg said.

Bloom said Ware--who will resume his former job as academic dean--will beessential in helping him make the transition.

Unlike most deans of Harvard schools, Bloom wasneither a professor at Harvard nor a dean lower onthe pecking order before he got the job.

Fineberg said this fact is irrelevant. "It'skind of like saying he's the only one with blackhair and they all have brown hair," he said.