The College of Engineering is establishing the Michigan Institute for Plasma Science and Engineering (MIPSE), which will accelerate the current studies taking place across the University. The institute will focus both on research opportunities and education.

Mark Kushner, dean of Iowa State University’s College of Engineering, will join the Michigan Engineering faculty as a collegiate chaired professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science as well as director of MIPSE. Kushner, who has been dean of engineering at Iowa State since 2005, is an internationally-known researcher. He received his doctoral degree in applied physics from the California Institute of Technology, Pasadena in 1979.

“Mark has had a truly exceptional career in low temperature plasma science and engineering, addressing fundamental transport and reaction chemistry of partially ionized gases and their application to technologies ranging from lighting sources, lasers and sensors to materials processing and microelectronics fabrication,” said Brian Gilchrist, professor and interim chair of Electrical and Computer Engineering in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

“I am delighted that the University of Michigan has given me the opportunity to join an internationally renowned community of scholars and educators,” Kushner said. “I have long admired the people and programs in the College of Engineering, and hope that I will be able to help the College to continue to improve its excellence and advance its mission.”

Kushner’s appointment begins September 1.