Physics Expert Named New Dean of DEAS

Venkatesh Narayanamurti will become the next dean of the Division of Engineering and Applied Sciences (DEAS) and McKay professor of engineering and applied sciences, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences Jeremy R. Knowles announced this week.

The DEAS encompasses three undergraduate concentrations--computer science, applied math and engineering science--and contributes to the Earth and Planetary Sciences and Physics Departments.

Narayanamurti is currently dean of the College of Engineering and a professor at the University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB).

In addition to his extensive experience as a university administrator, Narayanamurti has managed both industrial and governmental laboratories.

From 1981 to 1987 he was the director of the Solid State Electronics Research Laboratory at AT&T Bell Laboratories and from 1987 to 1992 he was vice president of research and exploratory technology at Sandia National Laboratories.

Narayanamurti, an expert in applied physics who specializes in solid state and material science, has also maintained his own research laboratory while at UCSB.

Narayanamurti has had at least three roles as a professional--those of educator, administrator and researcher.

"I told [Knowles] you are hiring more than one person," Narayanamurti said.

It is from his experiences wearing multiple hats that Narayanamurti derives a vision of cross-disciplinary collaboration.

The new dean is particularly optimistic about joint projects among the applied sciences and Harvard's schools of business and medicine.

Narayanamurti said that both academic disciplines and average citizens are being affected by the increasing use of technology.

"I think that a fundamental change is occurring in society...the Internet is everywhere, virtual laboratories, virtual classrooms. How in fact information technology is going to impact daily life is the next frontier," Narayanamurti said.

Glenn E. Lucas, the associate dean for advancement and planning at UCSB's College of Engineering, said Narayanamurti's connections in business and government allow him to inte- grate science with these fields.

"He's got great vision about how to integrateindustry, government and academia into newprograms," Lucas said.

Narayanamurti formed the Engineering AdvisoryCommittee at UCSB which was composed of CEOs fromhigh tech firms in the Santa Barbara area.

John E. Bowers, a professor at UCSB's Collegeof Engineering, said that for the past two yearsNarayanamurti has taught a course onentrepreneurial engineering.

Narayanamurti's colleagues also praised hispersonality.

Bowers said Narayanamurti acts for the benefitof the entire institution, rather than his ownspecialty.

For example, Bowers said that while at UCSB,Narayanamurti used resources to improve thecomputer sciences, instead of his own subject ofphysics because he felt that area was alreadystrong.

Lucas said Narayanamurti displays genuine carefor others.

"He takes a personal interest in everyone hetalks to," Lucas said.

Narayanamurti is arriving at Harvard during aperiod of rejuvenation of the DEAS. Currently, theMaxwell-Dworkin building, which will housecomputer science and electrical engineeringfacilities, is under construction. The project wasmade possible by a $25 million donation from BillGates and Steve A. Ballmer '77.

In addition, current Dean of DEAS Paul C.Martin '52 said that with funds from theUniversity's $2.1 billion capital campaign, theengineering department will endow approximately 12new professorships.

The engineering department currently has 48endowed chairs.

Although Narayanamurti is from outside theUniversity, Martin does not think the appointmentshould be viewed with-in the context of Harvard'scurrent tenure debate.

Martin noted that the last five junior facultymembers within the DEAS that underwent tenurereview were promoted. Martin believes thesepromotions represent a division that values itsown scientists.

"The division is able to tell incoming juniorfaculty that they have a good shot [at tenure],and we've made good on that promise," Martin said

"He's got great vision about how to integrateindustry, government and academia into newprograms," Lucas said.

Narayanamurti formed the Engineering AdvisoryCommittee at UCSB which was composed of CEOs fromhigh tech firms in the Santa Barbara area.

John E. Bowers, a professor at UCSB's Collegeof Engineering, said that for the past two yearsNarayanamurti has taught a course onentrepreneurial engineering.

Narayanamurti's colleagues also praised hispersonality.

Bowers said Narayanamurti acts for the benefitof the entire institution, rather than his ownspecialty.

For example, Bowers said that while at UCSB,Narayanamurti used resources to improve thecomputer sciences, instead of his own subject ofphysics because he felt that area was alreadystrong.

Lucas said Narayanamurti displays genuine carefor others.

"He takes a personal interest in everyone hetalks to," Lucas said.

Narayanamurti is arriving at Harvard during aperiod of rejuvenation of the DEAS. Currently, theMaxwell-Dworkin building, which will housecomputer science and electrical engineeringfacilities, is under construction. The project wasmade possible by a $25 million donation from BillGates and Steve A. Ballmer '77.

In addition, current Dean of DEAS Paul C.Martin '52 said that with funds from theUniversity's $2.1 billion capital campaign, theengineering department will endow approximately 12new professorships.

The engineering department currently has 48endowed chairs.

Although Narayanamurti is from outside theUniversity, Martin does not think the appointmentshould be viewed with-in the context of Harvard'scurrent tenure debate.

Martin noted that the last five junior facultymembers within the DEAS that underwent tenurereview were promoted. Martin believes thesepromotions represent a division that values itsown scientists.

"The division is able to tell incoming juniorfaculty that they have a good shot [at tenure],and we've made good on that promise," Martin said