Pending approval by the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning Board of Trustees, the Mississippi State University Department of Chemistry will have a new leader come July 1.
Dennis Smith, a veteran chemist and researcher will take the helm following time spent in academia at Clemson University and the University of Texas at Austin. Most recently he has focused on consulting work, as well as research and entrepreneurial ventures. He holds degrees from Missouri State University and the University of Florida.
I am looking forward to all aspects of this new leadership challenge, such as enabling increased funded research, multidisciplinary collaboration and recruiting,” Smith said. “But most of all, personally, I look forward to mentoring individual faculty, students and staff and helping to identify and unleash their own unique potential and ultimate successful contributions.”
Smith’s professional interests include science and technology leadership, technology transfer, entrepreneurship and chemistry/materials research. He has published 137 journal articles and more than 300 conference papers. He also has 28 patents issued or pending, as well as five book editorships.
“Dr. Smith is widely known in both academic and industry circles for his research in polymeric materials and composites,” said Rick Travis, interim dean of MSU’s College of Arts and Sciences. “We anticipate that he will host partnerships with researchers on campus and in the private sector.”