Jeremy L. Gilbert named associate dean in L.C. Smith College of Engineering and Computer Science

Jeremy L. Gilbert named associate dean in L.C. Smith College of Engineering and Computer ScienceJuly 29, 2004Kelly Homan Rodoskikahoman@syr.edu

Jeremy L. Gilbert has been named associate dean for research and doctoral programs in Syracuse University’s L.C. Smith College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS). The appointment, made by Douglas D. Danforth Dean Eric F. Spina, is effective as of July 1.

Gilbert, a professor in the Department of Bioengineering and Neuroscience, has stepped down as chair of that department but will continue his teaching and research activities. In his new position, Gilbert is responsible for enabling the submission of proposals for sponsored research, encouraging and supporting the professional development of doctoral students and working with department faculties to coordinate periodic doctoral program reviews.

He will also mentor junior faculty on their scholarly activities, advance the agenda of multidisciplinary research centers and advocate for the importance of research and doctoral studies inside and outside ECS.

“Jeremy’s excellent track record at SU and Northwestern as a researcher and doctoral advisor-and his long-time advocacy for the research enterprise-make him the ideal faculty member for this position,” says Spina. “This new position is a clear signal that strong research programs and increasing doctoral program quality are top priorities for ECS, and that I expect us to continue the strong growth we have demonstrated since 1999.”

Gilbert joined the ECS faculty in 1999 from Northwestern University, where he was an associate professor of biological materials in the University’s Dental School and of bioengineering in the McCormick School of Engineering from 1993-99. He served as an assistant professor from 1988-93.

His research interest is the study of biomaterials–materials used to replace or augment structures within the body. Specific research areas within this field include the development of novel bone cements; corrosion associated with metallic implant materials; material-biological environment interaction; orthopedic implant design; fracture and fatigue processes in biomaterials and performance testing of medical devices.

To further knowledge in the biomaterials area at SU, Gilbert and bioengineering assistant professor Julie Hasenwinkel created the Biomaterials Group, a contingent of about 25 undergraduate and graduate students who voluntarily come together each week to present their research, discuss particular problems and to learn from each other.

A widely published researcher, Gilbert was recently named a Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, an honor that is bestowed upon only 2 percent of active researchers in the field. He holds three patents: one for an orthopedic implant; one for methods of making self-reinforced compositions of amorphous thermoplastics; and one for bone cement.

Gilbert has served on numerous U.S. government advisory committees, editorial boards and as a consultant to numerous medical device companies in the area of biomaterials. He received a bachelor’s degree in engineering science from the State University of New York at Buffalo; a master’s degree in metallurgical engineering and materials science from Carnegie Mellon University, and a Ph.D. in metallurgical engineering, materials science and bioengineering from Carnegie Mellon.