Theresa S. Mayer, a leading nanotechnology researcher and the associate dean for research and innovation in Penn State’s College of Engineering, has been named Virginia Tech’s new vice president for research and innovation.

 

A distinguished professor of electrical engineering and materials science and engineering at Penn State, Mayer is widely recognized for her research in device nanomanufacturing and served as a site director for the National Science Foundation National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network.

 

Mayer holds an MS degree and a Ph.D. in electrical engineering, both from Purdue University. She received a BS degree in electrical engineering from Virginia Tech.

 

Mayer will succeed Dennis Dean, a University Distinguished Professor and the director of the Fralin Life Science Institute, who has served as interim vice president for research and innovation since January 2015.

 

Research and development expenditures at Virginia Tech have grown annually for more than 15 years, climbing to $513.1 million in fiscal year 2014. The university is the top academic research center in Virginia in National Science Foundation reported research expenditures.

 

Ranked No. 39 by the NSF in fiscal year 2014, Virginia Tech is the only university in the commonwealth among the national top 50 research schools. Mayer is joining Virginia Tech as the university engages in a one-year process called “Beyond Boundaries,” which will inform Virginia Tech’s long-range future by envisioning the university in 2047 — its 175th anniversary.

 

“This is an exciting time to be at Virginia Tech,” Mayer said. “Investments in exceptional people and state-of-the-art infrastructure have led to impressive growth in the university’s research enterprise over the last 15 years. The community is clearly energized and ready to take the next steps to define Virginia Tech as a premier landgrant institution that delivers innovative solutions to global challenges of the 21st century and serves as a catalyst for economic development. With strong institutional and faculty support to create comprehensive transdisciplinary research programs and build mutually beneficial partnerships and networks, Virginia Tech is well-positioned to lead breakthrough change.”

 

Mayer will be a tenured professor in the Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. She was a Penn State faculty member for more than 20 years, serving as a Distinguished Professor in electrical engineering and materials science and engineering. She has published more than 200 refereed articles and proceedings and holds nine patents. Two companies have licensed the technologies.

 

She also served as the associate director of the Penn State Materials Research Institute, and the director of the Penn State Nanofabrication Laboratory.