Xudong Wang named materials science and engineering chair

Thomas and Suzanne Werner Professor Xudong Wang will succeed Harvey D. Spangler Professor Izabela Szlufarska as chair of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, beginning July 1.

After earning his PhD in materials science and engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology in 2005, Wang continued at the institute as a postdoctoral fellow until 2008. He joined the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at UW-Madison as an assistant professor later that year. He earned tenure in 2014 and was promoted to full professor in 2017. He has served the department for more than six years as associate chair for named master’s studies. In that role, he led restructuring of the department’s graduate program and creation of an accelerated master’s program. He also is co-director of the UW-Madison Institute for Clinical and Translational Research TL1 career development program, where he’s led training in pre- and postdoctoral scholars in translational science and promoted collaboration between our college and the medical sciences. Previously, he held roles as the college’s Grainger Institute for Engineering energy and sustainability thrust lead and as MS&E’s associate chair for graduate studies.

In his research, Xudong focuses on developing novel nanomaterials and devices for advanced nanoelectronic systems and energy harvesting. As principal investigator on multiple interdisciplinary center-scale proposals, he has demonstrated an ability to articulate vision; coordinate diverse teams; and advance research, education and institutional impact. Among his numerous honors are fellow of the Materials Research Society and fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

As chair, Wang is eager to contribute his expertise in securing research funding, mentoring students and shaping the department’s academic programs.