A nationally recognized chemist and academic administrator was appointed Monday by the University of California Board of Regents as chancellor of UC San Diego.

Marye Anne Fox, 56, whose appointment was unanimous during a teleconference of regents, became the first woman named permanent chancellor of the San Diego campus, which enrolls 23,045 students. Two other women previously held the campus' top job on an acting basis.

Fox, who currently serves as chancellor of North Carolina State University, will take over in San Diego on August 16. She will be paid $350, 000 a year, nearly $70,000 more than her predecessor.

The regent's action came on the recommendation of UC President Robert C. Dynes, who held the San Diego chancellorship until his promotion last year.