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Elevating CEAS: Leadership Team is in Place

CEAS Leadership
The College of Engineering and Applied Sciences (CEAS) at Stony Brook University (SBU) is thrilled to announce several key appointments that complete the new CEAS leadership team.
 
In October 2015, Fotis Sotiropoulos was appointed the dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences (CEAS). Upon his appointment, Sotiropoulos said; “As dean I will actively engage our faculty, students, and alumni in a team-effort to make this world class College even better.” CEAS is certainly heading in that direction with a new leadership team in place to support their strategic mission.
 
Tasked with streamlining processes, promoting cross-cutting large-scale research initiatives, increasing funding from research and philanthropy, improving the quality of graduate and undergraduate programs, advancing innovative educational opportunities for students, expanding diversity, and attracting exceptional new faculty, the new team consists of Associate Deans Samir Das, Robert Kukta, and Yuanyuan Yang; and Assistant Deans Jennifer Dellaposta and Kelly Dowling.
 
At a Glance : A range of experience to benefit CEAS
 
Samir Das“With my research background, my CEWIT relationships, and the experience I gained as a faculty member in one of the largest CEAS departments (Computer Science), I am ready to take on the operational and research challenges of CEAS.” 
– Samir Das, Associate Dean
 
Samir Das is the newly appointedAssociate Dean for Research and Operations, who is responsible for working with all nine departments within CEAS to stimulate strategic, cross-cutting research initiatives. Das serves as the liaison for industry partnerships and technology transfer, coordinates international research collaborations, and oversees space allocation, and data collection and reporting. Das joined SBU in 2002 as a professor in the Department of Computer Science (CS). He served as the graduate program advisor for more than eight years overseeing the computer science master’s degree program that has grown to 300+ students. He also had a key leadership role in the Center of Excellence in Wireless and Information Technology (CEWIT) since the days of its early planning and served as the Director of its Networking Division. Das’ is widely published in the areas of wireless networking and mobile computing and according to Google Scholar he is one of the most cited authors in this research area. Das has been on the editorial board of major wireless networking journals and has led the program committees of premier conferences in this area. Das served as PI or co-PI of extramural research grants and contracts worth over $12M in Stony Brook. He is also the recipient of a National Science Foundation (NSF) Faculty Early CAREER Award. Das earned his PhD in computer science from Georgia Institute of Technology.
 
 Robert Kukta“For me, the approach to an engineering challenge is similar to the approach I will take in my role as Associate Dean; gather the data, focus on the goal, analyze the information, collaborate, and turn educated recommendations into action.”
– Robert Kukta, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies
 
Newly appointed Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies, Robert Kukta, will use his experience as an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at SBU to develop innovative undergraduate programs centered on experiential learning. Through social entrepreneurship and the fusion of engineering and art, Kukta will develop and implement plans that increase graduation rates, retain students, and expand diversity in our student body. Kukta received his PhD in engineering from Brown University and joined SBU following his postdoctoral work in applied mechanics at the California Institute of Technology. In 2007, Kukta received the NSF’s prestigious CAREER Award and his current research focuses on the mechanics of carbon nanotube networks and the self-assembly of nanostructures. Kukta is currently on the Board of Directors for the Long Island Forum for Technology and he is active in a variety of K-12 STEM initiatives.
 
Yuanyuan Yang"STEM diversity initiatives are a priority for the College and for the University as a whole. As Associate Dean, I will collaborate with faculty, administration, and students to promote diversity across the board, assess and improve the quality of our graduate programs, and work on a wide range of faculty affairs."
– Yuanyuan Yang, Associate Dean for Diversity and Academic Affairs
 
The new Associate Dean for Diversity and Academic Affairs, Yuanyuan Yang, will work to expand diversity among our faculty and graduate students, oversee faculty mentoring and tenure processes, facilitate reviews of graduate programs, and coordinate various faculty affairs including award recognition. Yang received her doctoral degree in computer science from Johns Hopkins University. She joined Stony Brook in 1999 and is a professor in the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, and Department of Computer Science. Prior to being named Associate Dean, Yang served as the Graduate Program Director for the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering since 2001 and the Director of Communications & Devices Division of New York State Center of Excellence in Wireless and Information Technology (CEWIT) since 2007.  Yang is internationally recognized for her contributions in networking and parallel and distributed computing systems areas and has published extensively in these areas. Her current research interests include data center networking, cloud computing, wireless/mobile networks, and optical networks. She was named an IEEE Fellow in 2009 "for contributions to parallel and distributed computing systems."
 
Jennifer Dellaposta“I enjoy working with students, faculty and staff to create a holistic approach to engineering education. In my years as a leader within CEAS, I’m proud to have been integral in effecting positive change. I look forward to the energy that the new team will bring, and to the continued success of our students and College.”
– Jennifer Dellaposta, Assistant Dean
 
Assistant Dean Jennifer Dellaposta has a master’s in social work, and has been with CEAS for over ten years in various capacities.  Jennifer is responsible for numerous activities related to undergraduate education, including accreditation, policy and curriculum, advising, scholarships and industry partnership development.  During her tenure in the College she has received many awards for her commitment to the College, University, and the extended community, and she specializes in working with at-risk populations.  Dellaposta is constantly assessing the needs of over 3,500 undergraduate students within the College, and looking to implement new initiatives to meet the ever changing needs of the student body.
 
Kelly Dowling“When I was searching for a new opportunity, I knew I wanted to contribute to a well-respected engineering program with a new dean on board who is itching to implement novel strategies.”
– Kelly Dowling, Assistant Dean of Advancement
 
After 20+ years in Florida,Kelly Dowling headed north to SBU and brought with her a positive fundraising momentum from her previous position as Senior Director of Development at the University of Central Florida (UCF). As CEAS Assistant Dean for Advancement, Dowling will work with administration, alumni, and industry to build mutually beneficial relationships and meet the goals of the university’s capital campaign. While at UCF Dowling secured a $7M scholarship endowment, closed the first of its kind $4M fundraising partnership between five state colleges, and led the national fundraising program. A recipient of numerous awards, Kelly is a Certified Fundraising Executive and Certified Volunteer Manager through the United Way and the Points of Light Foundation. She has completed extensive coursework in planned giving and charitable tax planning and she holds as an MBA from UCF.

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