Center for Biofilm Engineering

Stewart is Named

New CBE Director

On July 28, 2005, COE Dean Dr. Robert Marley announced the appointment of Dr. Phil Stewart to the position of CBE Director. We are looking forward to Dr. Stewart’s enthusiastic leadership and vision—his excellent interim guidance this past year clearly proved that he is capable of playing the role (specified in our position announcement) of “Leaderali inspiraciens.” Many parties from across campus came together to help solidify this position, including the College of Letters & Science and the College of Engineering, who will partner to hire a new tenure-track faculty position in the Department of Microbiology, providing an additional faculty member to bring microbiology research expertise to the Center’s work.

Dr. Stewart’s goals for the directorship include plans to facilitate strategic planning, pursue center-type grants, build bridges to collaborators, continue to engage companies—and have fun doing it! He intends to augment the interdisciplinary research niche that the Center has already established and to increase the Center’s activity in the synthesis of biofilm-related information for other researchers and industry worldwide. Dr. Stewart will continue to invite researchers from around the USA and the world to visit the CBE to learn biofilm methods and analytical skills, to share their expertise with CBE researchers and to facilitate collaborative research. In addition, he will promote the development of new technologies generated by CBE resources, project work and expertise.

Says Stewart: “I am honored to have the privilege of leading this excellent team. I look forward to a creative adventure!”

Posted August 3, 2005