Dear Colleagues,

Dr. Robert Easter has been serving as Interim Vice Chancellor for Research, pending the appointment of a permanent vice chancellor.  In light of Dr. Easter's new role as President-Designate, I have asked Debasish (Deba) Dutta to serve as Interim Vice Chancellor for Research-Designate, effective April 23, 2012, through May 31, 2012.  

Pending Board approval, Dr. Dutta will serve as Interim Vice Chancellor for Research, effective June 1, 2012, through September 16, 2012, or on the date the permanent Vice Chancellor for Research assumes the position.  I am delighted that Dr. Dutta has graciously agreed to serve in this temporary assignment, in addition to his current role as Dean of the Graduate College and Associate Provost.

Dr. Dutta is an Edward William and Jane Marr Gutgsell Professor in the Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering and a Professor of Industrial and Enterprise Systems Engineering.  He is a Scholar-in-Residence at the National Academy of Engineering, leading a national study on the lifelong learning needs of engineering professionals. Prior to coming to Illinois in 2009, Dr. Dutta was on the faculty at the University of Michigan where he served as a Professor of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Director of the PLM Alliance, and Director of the Globalization Technology and Culture Initiative.  

Dr. Dutta will be serving in this interim role for the short term as we bring to closure our search for the permanent vice chancellor for research position.

Please join me in supporting Dr. Dutta as Interim Vice Chancellor for Research.

Sincerely,

Phyllis M. Wise
Vice President, University of Illinois
Chancellor, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign