Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering Dean Appointment

From: President Paul Alivisatos and Provost Katherine Baicker
Subject: Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering Dean Appointment
Date: July 24, 2023

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Nadya Mason as the next dean of the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (PME). A highly accomplished academic leader, renowned experimental physicist, and elected member of the National Academy of Sciences, her term will begin on October 1. 

Currently the Rosalyn S. Yalow Professor of Physics at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), Nadya specializes in experimental studies of materials. This work is relevant to applications involving nanoscale and quantum computing elements. Her research focuses on the electronic properties of small-scale materials, such as nanoscale wires and atomically thin membranes.  

Nadya is the recipient of numerous awards, including the National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Award, the Denice Denton Emerging Leader Award, the Maria Goeppert Mayer Award, the Edward A. Bouchet Award, the Woodrow Wilson Career Enhancement Fellowship, and several honors granted in recognition of teaching excellence. She was named an American Physical Society Fellow, a Kavli Fellow, an Illinois University Scholar, and is an elected member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Nadya has extensive experience overseeing interdisciplinary research. She is the director of UIUC’s Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, an eminent interdisciplinary research facility that brings together researchers from more than 40 campus departments to collaboratively address major scientific and technological challenges. Nadya is also the founding director of the Illinois Materials Research Science and Engineering Center, a multidisciplinary research and education center funded by the NSF. 

In addition to maintaining a rigorous research program and teaching at the graduate and undergraduate levels, Nadya has worked to increase diversity in the physical sciences, particularly through mentoring, and is the former chair of the American Physical Society Committee on Minorities. Deeply committed to communicating about science at all levels, she frequently shares her knowledge and expertise through local television appearances and public lectures. In 2019, Nadya gave a TED Talk on scientific curiosity. She currently serves as a member of the National Quantum Initiative Advisory Committee and the Department of Energy Basic Energy Sciences Advisory Committee. Nadya earned a PhD from Stanford University and a BS from Harvard University, both in physics. 

Nadya’s appointment was informed by the recommendations of a faculty advisory committee, which played a critical role in the process. We appreciate the committee members’ thoughtful and insightful work.

Nadya will succeed Matthew Tirrell, who has led the University’s molecular engineering program since its inception in 2011 and will serve as dean through September 30. We are incredibly grateful to Matt not only for the extraordinary impact he has made at PME and across campus, but also for his deep commitment to the University. 

We are confident that PME will continue to thrive under Nadya’s innovative leadership, and we look forward to welcoming her to campus soon.