Written by: College of Science January 15, 2021 In early January, Dr. Rainer Steinwandt joined the College of Science as Dean. He comes to us from Boca Raton, FL, where he chaired the Department of Mathematical Sciences at Florida Atlantic University. Dr. Steinwandt studied computer science in Karlsruhe, Germany, and his research focuses on cryptography and its interplay with quantum computing. He received the 2018 NATO Science for Peace and Security Partnership Prize for an international project across four countries. He serves on the steering committee of the International Conference on Post-Quantum Cryptography, and his publication record includes a book on Group Theoretic Cryptography. Growing up in the Blackwood Forest in Southwest Germany, he is somewhat familiar with Huntsville's colder winter weather and appreciates our city's integration of beautiful surroundings with high-tech. In more normal times, he enjoys traveling. When you see him walking across campus or shopping in a local bakery, do not hesitate to say hello; good conversation over a cup of coffee is always welcome.