Professor Ashutosh Goel Appointed Chair of MSE Department

School of Engineering Dean Alberto Cuitiňo has announced the appointment of Professor Ashutosh Goel as chair of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE), effective July 1.

Goel succeeds Distinguished Professor Lisa Klein, who has led the nationally and internationally recognized department that boasts state-of-the-art laboratories and research centers dedicated to critical areas ranging from energy storage and nanomaterials to nuclear waste management and computational materials science since 2020.

"Professor Goel has distinguished himself as both a scholar and a department leader since he joined the MSE faculty in 2014 and began transforming Rutgers into an international hub and talent pipeline in glass science and technology," says Cuitiňo. "His numerous federally funded projects and industry partnerships have provided invaluable hands-on training for the next generation of glass scientists. I am confident that he will continue the work of Professor Klein in building a more robust and widely recognized department."

For Goel—who was recently selected as a Fellow of the American Ceramic Society (ACerS)—this appointment is "both a tremendous honor and a profound responsibility. The MSE department has a rich history of contributions to materials research and education, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to help shape its next chapter."

As chair, he is looking forward to working with colleagues and with SoE leadership to strengthen the department's academic and research excellence by building new opportunities for students, expanding graduate programs, enhancing industry and alumni partnerships, and supporting faculty pursuit of ambitious research projects. 

Goel's vision includes expanding opportunities for interdisciplinary education in emerging areas ranging from AI and healthcare technologies to advanced manufacturing and sustainable materials, while increasing the visibility of MSE work and achievements through outreach, alumni engagement, and strategic communication. 

"Above all," he states, "I'm excited to work alongside a group of colleagues who care deeply about research, education, and student success. Together, I believe we have an opportunity to elevate the visibility, impact, and reputation of materials science and engineering at Rutgers, while building an even stronger department for the future."