Professor Karl Rockne named associate dean for research
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Professor Karl Rockne is starting a new role at UIC as the College of Engineering’s associate dean for research position on Jan. 1.
Rockne, of Civil, Materials, and Environmental Engineering, brings extensive research administration experience to the position through his previous roles as associate dean for research at UIC, two terms as an NSF program director, and his current role as director of research development for UIC’s $490 million annual portfolio. In addition to being a university scholar, he has earned 14 major teaching, research, and service awards, including the NSF Director’s Award for Excellence (the top award at NSF), the NSF Special Act Award, and the NSF CAREER Award for pioneering “active capping” technology. With more than 125 publications, he ranks in the top 3-6% worldwide in bioremediation, environmental biotechnology, and environmental engineering.
“Rockne’s record reflects exceptional national leadership and a transformative impact in research administration across the NSF, UIC, and federal interagency roles. As a two-time NSF Program Director, he managed a $100 million portfolio and a science and technology center, while shaping national research strategy through the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy on PFAS, emerging contaminants, and desalination,” said UIC Dean of Engineering Lola Eniola-Adefeso. “At UIC, he has served as associate dean for research and director of research development, securing multimillion-dollar centers, expanding partnerships, and elevating faculty success at the university. A longtime UIC faculty member, he has also served as a department head and director of undergraduate studies.”