Lisa Porter to lead Faculty and Graduate Affairs

Lisa Porter came to Carnegie Mellon as an assistant professor of materials science and engineering in 1997. Since that time, she has amassed a record of consistent and high-level achievement as a teacher, advisor, mentor, and researcher. On August 1, she will add college administrator to that list when she becomes Associate Dean for Faculty and Graduate Affairs for the College of Engineering

In her new role, Porter will provide strategic direction and manage matters related to graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and faculty in the college.

Dean Bill Sanders said, “Lisa is an exceptionally thoughtful and effective leader who has built strong working relationships across campus and has demonstrated exceptional commitment to Carnegie Mellon and the broader academic community.”

She led the 2012 ABET accreditation process for the Materials Science and Engineering Department, represented the College of Engineering as faculty chair, and served on numerous other committees including having served as chair of the University Faculty Review Committee.

She is a fellow, active member, and past president of the American Vacuum Society. She has been elected to numerous positions for the Electronic Materials Conference, most recently as conference chair. Her two decades of continuous, extensive professional service to societies and conferences has strengthened scientific programs central to the electronic materials community.

Lisa is an exceptionally thoughtful and effective leader who has built strong working relationships across campus and has demonstrated exceptional commitment to Carnegie Mellon and the broader academic community.

Bill Sanders, Dean, College of Engineering

Her research on the processing and properties of metal-semiconductor contacts and interfaces in wide bandgap semiconductors is internationally recognized. The impact of her work is evidenced in many ways, such as through more than 60 invited presentations and seminars, a keynote and a plenary talk, two patents, and as a sought-after author for her comprehensive review articles.

Her many honors and awards include a National Science Foundation Career Award, Visiting Professor for Women in the Engineering Sciences awarded by the Swedish Research Council, and the Carnegie Mellon Order of the May.

Lisa will fill the position that was previously held by Shelly Anna, professor of chemical engineering, who was recently selected as the new vice provost for faculty.

“A large and impressive group of candidates were nominated for this important position, which is an undeniable indication of the strength and vibrancy of our college,” remarked Sanders, who added that he was grateful for the search advisory committee who rose to the challenging task of narrowing the pool of nominees to a group of highly qualified finalists.

Burcu Akinci, served as chair of the search advisory committee with committee members Vijayakumar Bhagavatula, Paul Steif, and Conrad Zapanta, who received administrative support from Autumn Riddle.