August 28, 2003 —
C. L. Max Nikias, dean of the School of Engineering, has announced the appointment
of four faculty members to endowed chairs and professorships.
“The collective research conducted by our faculty continues to push USC Engineering
into the ranks of the elite engineering schools across the United States,” said
Nikias. “I am pleased to have the resources to reward these very worthy members
of our faculty.”
Aristides Requicha, professor of computer science, will hold the Gordon Marshall
Chair in Engineering. Requicha directs the Center for Molecular Robotics and is
the principal investigator in a project to develop nanoscale robots to monitor
ocean microorganisms.
“His research into nanotechnology, microsensor networks, as well as nanorobotics
has brought considerable attention to these areas both in the United States and
abroad,” said Nikias.
Theodore Berger, professor of biomedical engineering, has been appointed to the
David Packard Chair in Engineering. Berger has been directing a long-term project
to develop an implantable computer chip that would communicate directly with neural
tissue.
“Ted Berger has long been a leader in the field of neural engineering,” said
Nikias. “With the burgeoning effort in the School’s biotechnology initiative,
I anticipate he will assume an even greater leadership role.”
The Fred H. Cole Professorship in Engineering will be held by Robert Scholtz,
professor of electrical engineering systems. A faculty member for 40 years, the
much-honored Scholtz began the first university research program in ultra-wideband
radio, a promising technology with applications in wireless networks, security
systems and consumer electronics. Nikias said: “Bob Scholtz has created and mentored
a credible and successful research effort in both spread spectrum communications
and ultra-wideband radio that reaches far beyond the wrought iron fences of our
campus.”
Terence Langdon, professor of aerospace and mechanical engineering, materials
science and earth sciences, will receive the William E. Leonhard Professorship
in Engineering. Langdon is one of the most cited materials science researchers
in the world and his work on superplasticity of metals has important commercial
applications.
“Terry Langdon has created an international presence for himself as both a Fellow
of the Royal Academy of Engineering and a significant research effort in materials
science that reaches across both oceans,” said Nikias.
Before making the appointments, Nikias convened a committee of the School’s faculty
who currently hold endowed chairs and solicited their opinions. Before the appointments
all four of the chairs and professorships were unoccupied.
Contact: Bob Calverley, calverle@usc.edu or 213/740-4750
