  richard chatham atkinson (born 19 march 1929) is an american professor of psychology and academic administrator. he is the former president and regent of the university of california system, and former chancellor of u.c. san diego. == biography == === career === atkinson started as a professor of psychology at stanford university, where he worked with patrick suppes on experiments to use computers for teaching math and reading to young children in palo alto elementary schools. the education program for gifted youth at stanford is a descendant of those early experiments. in 1975, atkinson's career transitioned from research to administration when he was appointed as director of the national science foundation. he later served as chancellor of the university of california, san diego, and president of the university of california system. atkinson is widely recognized for his scientific, academic, and administrative accomplishments. he has been elected to the national academy of sciences, the institute of medicine, the national academy of education, and the american philosophical society. he is past president of the american association for the advancement of science, former chair of the association of american universities and the recipient of many honorary degrees. named in his honor are a mountain in antarctica, and atkinson hall, the home of the california institute for telecommunications and information technology at uc san diego. ==== research ==== after earning his bachelorâs degree at the university of chicago and his ph.d. in experimental psychology and mathematics at indiana university, atkinson joined the faculty at stanford university in 1956. except for a three-year interval at ucla, he served as professor of psychology at stanford from 1956 to 1975. he was elected a fellow of the american academy of arts and sciences in 1974. his research on mathematical models of human memory and cognition led to additional appointments in the school of engineering, the school of education, the applied mat
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