Stuart Rowan named Interim Dean of the UChicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering
One of the faculty leaders who helped shape UChicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering's development will now guide its next chapter.
Stuart Rowan, the Director of UChicago PME’s Institute for Materials and Sustainability (IMS) and the Barry L. MacLean Professor for Molecular Engineering Innovation and Enterprise, has been named Interim Dean of UChicago PME effective immediately. He succeeds Nadya Mason, who was recently appointed Vice President for Research for the University of Chicago.
"I am honored to serve as Interim Dean of the UChicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering," Rowan said. "Over the past decade, I have had the privilege of seeing this school grow into a remarkable community of researchers, students, postdoctoral researchers, and staff. What has always distinguished UChicago PME is its willingness to bring together people, ideas, and disciplines in pursuit of impactful solutions to some of humankind’s most pressing challenges. I look forward to working alongside my outstanding colleagues to build on that foundation and support the school's continued success and growth."
Rowan assumes leadership at a pivotal moment for UChicago PME. Over the past decade, the school has expanded its impact across quantum science and engineering, bioengineering and immunoengineering, materials for sustainability, entrepreneurship, and technology translation while strengthening partnerships across the University of Chicago, with national laboratories, industry, and government.
What has always distinguished UChicago PME is its willingness to bring together people, ideas, and disciplines in pursuit of impactful solutions to some of humankind’s most pressing challenges.
Stuart Rowan, Interim Dean of the UChicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering
Rowan has played a central role in shaping UChicago PME since joining the school in 2016, helping to advance the school's success in materials science and sustainability. As the inaugural director of the school’s Institute Materials and Sustainability, he has fostered deep collaborations across Physics, Chemistry, Computer Science and at Argonne National Laboratory, while overseeing the growth of the school's work in clean energy, clean water, and greener materials.
An internationally recognized scientist and academic leader, Rowan is also a professor of Chemistry and Director of the Energy Technologies Initiative (ETI), which brings together scientists and engineers to accelerate the energy transition through cost-effective and scalable innovations. He also holds an appointment at Argonne National Laboratory.
Rowan has built a reputation for groundbreaking research in polymer science and supramolecular chemistry. His work focuses on designing adaptive and sustainable materials with applications spanning energy, health, and environmental sustainability. His recent work includes the development of "pluripotent plastics" that can reversibly change their properties, advancing the design of more sustainable materials. In recognition of his scientific contributions, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society, one of the highest honors in science.
The University of Chicago will launch a full search for the next Dean of the UChicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering this fall.