Devesh Ranjan
Devesh Ranjan, the Eugene C. Gwaltney, Jr. School Chair of the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, has been named dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW).
Ranjan graduated from UW and has been at Georgia Tech since 2014. He was selected as dean by UW Provost Charles Isbell, a Georgia Tech graduate and former dean of the College of Computing.
Ranjan will lead the Woodruff School through the spring semester. He will join UW in June.
“Devesh is a visionary leader who has created numerous programs to strengthen the Woodruff School community,” said Raheem Beyah, dean of the College of Engineering and Southern Company Chair. “Georgia Tech is my alma mater, and I know there’s nothing like going home. Devesh’s deep commitment and determination will undoubtedly lead to his continued success as he returns to UW to innovate and lead the university’s college of engineering. I’m grateful for his commitment to Tech and the Woodruff School, as well as his valuable guidance and partnership.”
Jason Maderer (maderer@gatech.edu)
Matthew Oliver, Associate Professor, School of Economics, Georgia Tech, EPIcenter Faculty Affiliate
Students in Matthew Oliver’s economics of environment and international energy markets classes likely don’t have a clue about his unusual journey to the lectern: “I was bent on being a rock and roll musician from the time I was 16, and so I ended up dropping out of the University of Memphis after just three semesters,” says Oliver, an associate professor in the School of Economics at the Georgia Institute of Technology. “I was on tour for eight years — and I was starting to feel burned out.”
At a crossroads, Oliver decided to end his musical career — a choice he credits with launching him into academia. “I was 28 and wondering what to do with my life, so I reenrolled in college and discovered economics.” With a longtime love of the environment and growing concern for the climate, says Oliver, “I grew fascinated with solar power and other renewables and the new markets emerging around them.”
Today, his work in energy and environmental economics has implications for policies shaping the energy transition, from subsidies for rooftop solar to the expansion of battery storage.
“The current frontier of energy economics is electricity and renewables, and these are areas I am passionate about,” he says.
PVs and amped up electric use
One of Oliver’s core research thrusts is the solar rebound effect (SRE). This phenomenon involves a quirk of human behavior: When people install solar photovoltaic (PV) panels on the roofs of their homes, they often consume more electricity. “The introduction of solar energy does not perfectly displace grid-supplied energy, but instead reduces demand for grid-supplied energy on a less than one-for-one basis, because the household increases its total electricity consumption,” says Oliver. The bottom line: Solar PV systems may not lead to as much carbon emission reduction as anticipated.
Written by: Leda Zimmerman
Contact: Priya Devarajan, SEI Communications Program Manager
The team's modular cell-free protein biosensor platform produces a simple color output based on the amount of protein detected in a sample. That makes it easy for any user, without specialized training, to read the results of a test at home or in areas with limited access to medical resources. (Photo: Candler Hobbs)
Chemical and biomolecular engineers at Georgia Tech have developed a plug-and-play platform for detecting protein biomarkers of disease that’s simple, flexible, and easy to use without costly lab equipment.
Their work could unlock a new wave of at-home testing options and provide new diagnostic capabilities in parts of the world where medical resources are scarce.
The testing platform fills a gap in using cell-free synthetic biology for disease detection. Existing cell-free tools have proven effective at measuring DNA, RNA, and other small molecules, but not proteins. That’s an important advance because proteins in viruses or bacteria tend to change less than the DNA or RNA sequences that encode those proteins. They’re also easier to detect since they can be found on the outside of cell walls or free-floating in biofluids.
“Diagnosing disease and democratizing medical care by putting it into the public's hands has great potential. You can have a big impact on a lot of people,” said Mark Styczynski, William R. McLain Endowed Professor in the School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering.
“I think about that a lot in terms of the developing world, but also there's a lot of healthcare inequality even in the United States. Studies have shown your ZIP code can determine your life expectancy. You can think about people in sub-Saharan Africa or people in rural Appalachia all benefiting. They’re among those who need more access to low-cost tools.”
Styczynski and a group of researchers led by former Ph.D. student Megan McSweeney presented their test in late February in the journal Science Advances.
Joshua Stewart
College of Engineering
Adam Steinberg, the Pratt & Whitney Chair in the Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering, has been appointed as the new secretary of the faculty for Georgia Tech, effective February 26, 2025.
In his new role, Steinberg will serve as the permanent secretary for all faculty governance bodies, facilitating communication and governance across the Institute. The secretary of the faculty is appointed through a multi-phase process in which the faculty vote to recommend the new secretary to the president, who then affirms the appointment.
"Professor Steinberg's years of contributions as a chair, faculty member, and lab director make him an excellent choice for the secretary of the faculty role,” said President Ángel Cabrera. “He is a highly respected member of our faculty community, and I have no doubt that he will make a significant contribution to strengthening faculty governance at Georgia Tech.”
The secretary of the faculty plays an essential role in faculty governance at Georgia Tech, serving as the secretary for the Faculty Executive Board, Academic Faculty, Research Faculty, Academic Faculty Senate, and Research Faculty Senate. This position involves maintaining records, conducting governance elections, serving on the Insitute Policy Committee, liaising between campus administration and the faculty, and ensuring effective campus engagement with faculty initiatives. To take on this role full-time, Steinberg will step down from his position as associate chair for graduate programs in the Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering.
Reflecting on his appointment, Steinberg said, "I am deeply honored to take on this role and look forward to collaborating with faculty and administration to further strengthen these relationships. It is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the Institute's value of shared governance and to support the outstanding work of my colleagues."
Steinberg brings a wealth of experience to this role. He is the director of the Ben T. Zinn Combustion Laboratory, one of the largest academic combustion research facilities globally. Before joining Georgia Tech, he was a faculty member at the University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies and served as a research scientist at the German Aerospace Center.
His research focuses on addressing scientific and technical challenges in aerospace propulsion and energy conversion devices. Collaborating closely with government and industry, his group develops advanced laser-based measurement techniques to explore complex thermal, fluid, and chemical processes in these systems.
Steinberg holds a B.A.Sc. in Engineering Science from the University of Toronto, an M.S.E. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Michigan, and a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Michigan. He is a Fellow of the Combustion Institute, an Associate Fellow of the American Institute for Aeronautics and Astronautics, and he serves as an Associate Editor for Combustion and Flame.
Steinberg succeeds J. Rhett Mayor, who has served as Secretary of the Faculty since 2018. During his tenure, Mayor worked to amplify faculty voices across campus and served throughout the COVID-19 pandemic as a dedicated liaison between the administration and faculty. His years of service have left a lasting impact on the Georgia Tech community. Mayor assumed the role of interim associate dean for faculty and graduate student affairs in the College of Lifetime Learning on January 1, 2025.
“Adam’s exceptional leadership skills, deep commitment to faculty governance, and extensive experience make him an outstanding choice for this vital role,” said Dima Nazzal, chair of the Faculty Executive Board. “We are thrilled to welcome him as secretary of the faculty. At the same time, we are immensely grateful to Rhett for his remarkable service and unwavering dedication to the faculty during his tenure. His impact has been invaluable, and we wish him the very best in his new role.”
Writer: Brittany Aiello, Faculty Communications Program Manager, Executive Communications, Institute Communications
Office of the Provost
Celebrating the Remarkable Career of Robert Butera
Bill Dracos Appointed Interim Chief Research Operations Officer as Rob Butera Announces His Retirement
It is with immense gratitude and admiration that we announce the retirement of Robert Butera, who has served Georgia Tech with the highest dedication and excellence. As the chief research operations officer (CROO), Butera has facilitated the Institute’s research activities, overseeing research integrity assurance, research administration, research operations/infrastructure, and research development. His leadership and vision have left an indelible mark on Georgia Tech's research enterprise.
Butera’s journey at Georgia Tech began long before his role as CROO. He received his undergraduate degree in electrical engineering from Georgia Tech in 1991. He joined the Institute’s faculty in 1999, after earning his Ph.D. from Rice University and spending several years as a postdoctoral researcher at the National Institutes of Health. Over the years, Butera has held numerous pivotal roles, including vice president for research development and operations, associate dean for research in the College of Engineering, and director of the Neural Engineering Center. Prior to joining Georgia Tech’s research leadership, Butera directed the interdisciplinary bioengineering graduate program, then co-founded the Grand Challenges Living Learning Community.
As a professor, Butera graduated 15 Ph.D. students and mentored over 100 undergraduates, for which he received Georgia Tech’s Senior Faculty Outstanding Undergraduate Research Mentor Award in 2016. He also mentored several postdocs and master’s students.
Butera’s accolades are numerous, including the prestigious Georgia Tech ANAK award and election as a Fellow to both the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering. He held significant leadership roles within the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. These honors reflect his impact on the field of biomedical engineering and his dedication to advancing scientific knowledge.
Beyond his professional achievements, Butera’s personal passions have also enriched the larger Georgia Tech community. His love for whitewater kayaking, which he discovered through Outdoor Recreation Georgia Tech (ORGT), led to a decade of volunteering as an instructor and trip leader. This commitment to adventure and leadership development has inspired many students and colleagues alike.
"Rob's unwavering commitment to excellence and his visionary leadership have been instrumental in advancing Georgia Tech's research mission. His contributions have not only elevated our institution but have also profoundly impacted the broader scientific community. We are deeply grateful for his service and wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement,” said Tim Lieuwen, executive vice president for Research.
Andrés J. García, executive director of the Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, shared these heartfelt words: "Rob, the ultimate Yellow Jacket, has been a tireless champion to improve research, educational, and operational processes at Georgia Tech. He has had tremendous positive impact in Georgia Tech, the state, and the nation. We will miss his deep knowledge and expertise, exceptional problem solving, practical perspective, and genuine care for faculty, staff, and students, and we wish him continued success in his next chapter."
Lena Ting, McCamish Foundation Distinguished Chair in Biomedical Engineering in the Walter H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, said, “Rob’s heart has a huge ‘GT’ stamped on it: He has always been engaged in all aspects of Georgia Tech life. I’m always amazed to hear about his undergrad teaching and mentoring, kayaking with ORGT, and advising his fraternity. At the same time, he worked tirelessly to enhance interdisciplinary research and solve challenges affecting faculty research, all while conducting his own innovative research. Rob is a GT nexus, always in the know about what is going on around campus and – more importantly – how and why it got to be that way. He is a great friend and colleague who is always available for a beer, and I’ll miss him dearly.”
As we bid farewell to Rob, we also extend a warm welcome to Bill Dracos, who will serve as the interim chief research operations officer, effective immediately. Bill brings a wealth of experience from his role as Deputy Chief Operating Officer at the Georgia Tech Research Institute and his previous leadership positions at George Mason University, Emory University, and PricewaterhouseCoopers. We are confident Bill will continue to build on Rob's legacy of excellence and innovation.
Thank you, Rob, for your years of service, your unwavering commitment to Georgia Tech, and your inspiring leadership. We wish you all the best in your retirement and look forward to seeing the new adventures you will undoubtedly embark upon.
Georgia Tech is conducting a national search for the next Chief Research Operations Officer. Learn more about the open position.
Photo by Allison Carter
Georgia Tech chemical engineer Krista Walton has been named vice chancellor for research and innovation at North Carolina State. The role puts her in charge of NC State’s $517 million research enterprise.
Walton has served as Georgia Tech’s associate vice president for research operations and infrastructure since 2023. The role oversees research space and core facilities. She also manages research computing and data, while contributing to policies related to research administration and operations.
Walton is a professor and the Robert "Bud" Moeller Faculty Fellow in the School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, where she’s served on the faculty since 2009.
“Georgia Tech has helped make me the scholar, researcher, and leader that I am today,” said Walton, who previously served as the College of Engineering’s associate dean for research and innovation. “As I prepare to take on this exciting new role at NC State, I will always be grateful for the mentorship and opportunities for growth that I received during my 16 wonderful years here.”
Walton’s research focuses on the design, synthesis, and characterization of functional porous materials for use in adsorption applications, including carbon dioxide capture and atmospheric water harvesting. She has co-founded three spin-off companies from her research over the past decade and currently serves as an associate editor for AIChE Journal.
Walton was the founding director and lead principal investigator (PI) on Georgia Tech’s first Department of Energy (DOE) Energy Frontier Research Center in 2014. That center, named UNCAGE-ME, advances the understanding of how porous and electrochemical materials used for hydrogen production and carbon dioxide capture and conversion evolve and degrade when exposed to emerging contaminants. DOE has renewed the center twice for a total of $25 million.
Walton begins her new role at NC State on June 30.
Jason Maderer
maderer@gatech.edu
From left, Kelly Farmer, Akanksha Menon, Joe Bozeman, and Arjun Ramshankar with a package of traditional fiberglass insulation and a rack holding samples of potential hemp-based insulation materials created by graduate student Elyssa Ferguson in Menon's lab. The team has published an analysis outlining a path toward a viable hemp-based building insulation market in the U.S. Hemp insulation can be used in place of traditional fiberglass batt insulation and reduce the carbon footprint of buildings, but hemp materials currently cost twice as much. (Photo: Candler Hobbs)
It’s a fairly niche product now, but a new study from Georgia Tech engineers suggests insulation made from hemp fibers could be a viable industry in the U.S., creating jobs, a manufacturing base, and greener homes and buildings at the same time.
Making the switch could slash the impact of one of the biggest sources of greenhouse gas emissions: Buildings account for roughly 1/5 of emissions globally. By some estimates, using hemp-based products would reduce the environmental impact of insulation by 90% or more.
The Georgia Tech researchers’ work, reported this month in the Journal of Cleaner Production, is one of the first studies to evaluate the potential for scaling up U.S. production and availability of hemp-based insulation products.
Read about their findings on the College of Engineering website.
Joshua Stewart
College of Engineering
Tim Lieuwen, Executive Vice President for Research
Following a nationwide search, Georgia Tech President Ángel Cabrera has named Timothy Lieuwen the Executive Vice President for Research (EVPR). Lieuwen has served as interim EVPR since September 10, 2024.
“Tim’s ability to bridge academia, industry, and government has been instrumental in driving innovation and positioning Georgia Tech as a critical partner in tackling complex global challenges,” said Cabrera. “With his leadership, I am confident Georgia Tech will continue to expand its impact, strengthen its strategic collaborations, and further solidify its reputation as a world leader in research and innovation.”
A proud Georgia Tech alumnus (M.S. ME 1997, Ph.D. ME 1999), Lieuwen has spent more than 25 years at the Institute. He is a Regents’ Professor and holds the David S. Lewis, Jr. Chair in the Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering. Prior to the interim EVPR role, Lieuwen served as executive director of the Strategic Energy Institute for 12 years. His expertise spans energy, propulsion, energy policy, and national security, and he has worked closely with industry and government to develop new knowledge and see its implementation in the field.
Lieuwen has been widely recognized for his contributions to research and innovation. He is a member of the National Academy of Engineering, as well as a fellow of multiple other professional organizations. Recently, he was elected an International Fellow of the U.K.’s Royal Academy of Engineering, one of only three U.S. engineers in 2024 to receive this prestigious commendation. The honor acknowledges Lieuwen’s contributions to engineering and his efforts to advance research, education initiatives, and industry collaborations.
He has authored or edited four books, published over 400 scientific articles, and holds nine patents — several of which are licensed to industry. He also founded TurbineLogic, an analytics firm working in the energy industry. Additionally, Lieuwen serves on governing and advisory boards for three Department of Energy national labs and was appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Energy to the National Petroleum Council.
The EVPR is the Institute’s chief research officer and directs Georgia Tech’s $1.37 billion portfolio of research, development, and sponsored activities. This includes leadership of the Georgia Tech Research Institute, the Enterprise Innovation Institute, nine Interdisciplinary Research Institutes and numerous associated research centers, and related research administrative support units: commercialization, corporate engagement, research development and operations, and research administration.
“I am honored to step into this role at a time when research and innovation have never been more critical,” Lieuwen said. “Georgia Tech’s research enterprise is built on collaboration — across disciplines, across industries, and across communities. Our strength lies not just in the breakthroughs we achieve, but in how we translate them into real-world impact.
“My priority is to put people first — empowering our researchers, students, and partners to push boundaries, scale our efforts, and deepen our engagement across Georgia and beyond. Together, we will expand our reach, accelerate discovery, and ensure that Georgia Tech remains a driving force for progress and service.”
Shelley Wunder-Smith | Director of Research Communications
shelley.wunder-smith@research.gatech.edu
The Atmospheric Science and Chemistry mEasurement NeTwork (ASCENT) site collects real-time data during the Los Angeles wildfires. Courtesy: Haroula Baliaka
As the Los Angeles fires quickly spread starting Jan. 7, with wind gusts approaching 100 mph, scientists observed a 110-fold rise in airborne lead levels. This spike had receded by Jan. 11.
The fires enabled the first real-time data on airborne lead, thanks to a pioneering air quality measurement network known as Atmospheric Science and Chemistry (ASCENT), a nationwide initiative funded by the National Science Foundation, operating in 12 sites across the U.S.
ASCENT measured tiny particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers in diameter (PM2.5) — small enough to enter the lungs and bloodstream. Unlike typical wildfires that burn natural materials such as grass and trees, the Eaton Canyon and Palisades fires burned through infrastructures like homes, including painted surfaces, pipes, vehicles, plastics, and electronic equipment. This raised concerns about the toxicity of these particles in the air, especially since many of the buildings were constructed before 1978, when lead paint was still commonly used.
Lead is a toxic air contaminant that poses significant health risks, particularly for children, who are more vulnerable to its neurodevelopmental effects. While chronic lead exposure is well-documented, the effects of short-term spikes, like those recorded during these fires, are less understood.
“Our work through ASCENT,” said Sally Ng, Georgia Tech’s Love Family Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Earth and Atmospheric Sciences and the network’s principal investigator, “has provided us with new insights into the air we breathe, with unprecedented levels of detail and time resolution. Beyond the mass concentration of PM2.5 that is typically measured, we are now able to detect a wide range of chemical components in the aerosols in real time, to better understand and evaluate to what extent one is exposed to harmful pollutants.”
Investigators used several instruments to obtain hourly measurements at the ASCENT monitoring site in Pico Rivera, approximately 14 miles south of the Eaton Canyon fire, to assess atmospheric lead during the wildfires.
“Our findings showcased the importance of having real-time measurements of the chemical species that comprise particulate matter,” said California Institute of Technology Ph.D. candidate in atmospheric chemistry and ASPIRE researcher Haroula Baliaka. “During the LA fires, we provided the public with timely information about what they were breathing and how air quality evolved in the days that followed.”
This research has been published in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Investigators used measurements recorded hourly at the ASCENT monitoring site in Pico Rivera, approximately 14 miles south of the Eaton Canyon fire, to assess atmospheric lead during the Eaton Canyon and Palisades fires. Courtesy: Haroula Baliaka
The ASCENT facility in Pico Rivera is equipped with a range of aerosol measurement instruments, including the Aerosol Chemical Speciation Monitor (ACSM) for non-refractory aerosols, Xact for detecting trace metals, Aethalometer for assessing black/brown carbon, and the Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer (SMPS) to analyze aerosol size distribution and concentration. Courtesy: Haroula Baliaka
Angela Barajas Prendiville
Director, Media Relations