 |
|
Volume 15, Number 3 |
|
|
||
| |||||
          
|
CC Mei is Acting Dept. headby Thomas Magnanti, Dean of the School of Engineering Finding a replacement for Rafael Bras has turned out to be so daunting a task that the Search Committee will continue its deliberations into this summer and likely into the Fall. Starting July 1, Professor Chiang C. Mei has graciously agreed to serve as the Acting Department Head while the search committee continues its deliberations.
Professor Mei received his BS in 1955 from the National Taiwan University, an SM in 1958 from Stanford, and a PhD in 1963 from the California Institute of Technology. He is internationally recognized for his many contributions to applied mechanics in the broad contexts of ocean and coastal engineering. He has conducted fundamental work in the hydromechanics of water waves, their evolutions and interactions with structures and the ocean bottom, and the mechanics associated with the seabed, land subsidence, and mud and debris flows.
He has received numerous accolades for his research contributions including election to the National Academy of Engineering. Within the CEE Dept., Mei has previously served as Head of the Engineering and Environmental Mechanics Group.
As of July 1, Professor Bras will begin a very well deserved sabbatical at Harvard University. He has volunteered to help Professor Mei during this period of transition, though all of us, myself included, will try hard not to abuse Rafael's generous offer.
As Rafael has been packing his books and papers the past few days in preparation for his sabbatical, he has been seen to possess a large visible smile. I am sure we can all imagine the sense of excitement he feels in becoming fully reengaged in research and teaching and having the time to devote to a book project that he has not been able to pursue with full vigor.
Please join me in thanking Rafael for his numerous accomplishments as Department Head, including, but not limited to, improvements in undergraduate and graduate instruction, the development of new programs such as the Department's successful MEng Program, and the nurturing of a vibrant and diverse culture. Rafael has provided significant leadership for the Department, the School, and the Institute and I am sure he will continue to do so in his role as a Professor.
|
|
"Civil and Environmental Engineering at
MIT"
|
