Gina Lee-Glauser named director of the CASE Center

Gina Lee-Glauser named director of the CASE CenterOctober 04, 2006Kelly Homan Rodoskikahoman@syr.edu

Gina Lee-Glauser has been named director of Syracuse University’s CASE Center, a New York State Center of Advanced Technology that is supported by the New York State Office of Science, Technology and Academic Research (NYSTAR). In her new role, Lee-Glauser will also lead the University’s technology transfer efforts.

Lee-Glauser succeeds Shiu-Kai Chin, who had been the CASE Center director since 1998. On June 1, Chin began his tenure as interim dean of the L.C. Smith College of Engineering and Computer Science (LCS). Lee-Glauser’s initial appointment will be for two years.

“The combination of all technology transfer services with the CASE Center under Gina’s leadership is an exciting new model for us to explore,” says Ben Ware, SU’s vice president for research and dean of the Graduate School. “I am impressed and excited by the ideas and enthusiasm that both Shiu-Kai and Gina are bringing to their new responsibilities, and I look forward to working with both of them in these new roles.”

Lee-Glauser continues to be the University’s associate vice president for research. Her former assignment included oversight of the University’s Office of Sponsored Programs and Office of Research Integrity and Protections. Ware will now have oversight of those areas so that Lee-Glauser can focus on CASE and technology transfer. She is also a research associate professor in LCS’s Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.

Under Chin’s leadership, the CASE Center expanded its function as a small business incubator and partnered with local companies on projects aimed at creating and preserving local jobs. From 2000-05, the CASE Center had an economic impact of $143 million on the Central New York economy. One signature project of the CASE Center, SAID (Sense, Analyze, Interpret, Decide), involves several Central New York companies in focusing technology on developing new products and markets.

Under Lee-Glauser, CASE will continue to function as an incubator, focused in ways that are synergistic with the University’s mission, and will collaborate with the Syracuse Technology Garden and other incubator spaces to maximize its impact and reach for the region and New York state.

As she settles into her new role, Lee-Glauser is gathering input from the University community, the business and technology communities, and other CAT centers on the best approaches to integrate CASE projects and outreach activities into the fabric of the University and New York state business communities by involving as many faculty, students and industry partners as possible.

“I envision this effort will be enabled by leveraging University research and intellectual capital,” Lee-Glauser says. “I would like to create an environment where multidisciplinary, university-industry teams can be easily assembled to solve complex computer application and software engineering problems. As director, I regard one of my major roles to be a facilitator in this endeavor.”

Lee-Glauser has been a member of the Syracuse University community since 2001. She previously served as assistant vice president for academic affairs, director of research and research associate professor in mechanical and aeronautical engineering at Clarkson University. She has held engineering positions at AT&T, Moog Inc., General Motors and General Electric, and did postdoctoral work at NASA’s Langley Research Center. She is currently serving, or has served, on a number of accreditation committees.

Lee-Glauser received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering from the University at Buffalo and a Ph.D. in mechanical and aeronautical engineering from Clarkson.

The CASE Center is a New York State Center of Advanced Technology supported by the New York State Office of Science, Technology and Academic Research (NYSTAR). NYSTAR’s broad mission is to make New York state a national leader in high-technology academic research and economic development.

The mission of the CASE Center is to be a key contributor to the state’s high-technology economy by providing access to the resources of Syracuse University and collaborating with state businesses and economic development organizations. CASE operates a high-technology incubator, manages joint university-industry applied research projects, and provides workforce development educational opportunities within a broad information technology focus area.