From Name: From Email: To Name: To Email: Optional Message: UW dentistry dean leaving to head national institute from The Seattle Times University of Washington dental school Dean Martha Somerman has been named director of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, the oral health branch of the National Institutes of Health. Somerman, who has been dean of the dental school since 2002, will start the new job in Bethesda, Md., on Aug. 29. Dr. Timothy DeRouen, the school's executive associate dean for research and academic affairs, will be interim dean while the UW looks for a successor. During Somerman's tenure, the school consistently ranked among national leaders in student performance on regional and national licensing board exams, as well as NIH research funding. more 7701 Las Colinas Blvd., Ste. 800, Irving, TX 75063