Word from the Director

It has been six months since we officially became the CMI and things are  moving at a fast pace. As you will see in the newsletter, each of the research programs has embarked on a series of new projects and initiatives, and the CMI overall continues to expand its membership and bring in faculty from multiple colleges at NC State, as well as others institutions in the region.

We now have a functioning website!! And one we hope you will not only visit regularly, but also contribute to make it both visually appealing and content-relevant. Big thanks to Jen Riehle McFarland  and her staff from OIT, Kim Dick from ORIED as well as Linda Costine and Julie Nettifee for their work in getting this done in such a short period. Please check “Our People,” the searchable member portion. This is useful not only to members but to those from the outside that are looking for collaborators. Suggestions for improvement are highly welcomed!! As are photos and videos.

I am also extremely pleased to share with you that key outstanding faculty have accepted our invitation to join us as members of the CMI executive committee  and to help in defining the direction of the CMI. The new EC members include: Chase Biesel (COE), Ke Cheng (CVM/COS), Jack Odle (CALS), and Joshua Pierce (COS); all outstanding scientists with great vision. They bring both scientific expertise, and great ideas and experience that will help us grow the CMI.

We are equally pleased to share the news that we have now an official, and truly amazing, internal advisory committee composed of Ruben Carbonell (Frank Hawkins Kenan Distinguish Professor of Chemical Engineering, Director, Golden LEAF Biomanufacturing Training and Education Center and Director, William R. Kenan, Jr. Institute for Engineering, Technology and Science), Fred Gould (William Neal Reynolds Distinguish Professor of Entomology, Co-Director Genetic Engineering & Society Center), Maureen Grasso (Dean of the Graduate School) and Behnam Pourdeyhimi (Associate Dean for Industry Research and Extension, William A. Klopman Distinguished Professor, Executive Director, The Nonwovens Institute). All outstanding leaders with extensive experience in developing highly successful programs, centers, and institutes. Their leadership experience and insights will be invaluable as we move forward.

Please help me in welcoming and thanking both the new EC members and the internal advisory committee.  We are incredibly fortunate to have such exceptional group of faculty join us in this challenging and exciting journey.

And last but not least, the CMI is your institute and it’s important that I hear your opinion.  I welcome any ideas, suggestions, and constructive criticisms. I will make mistakes. Hopefully not a lot of them, and hopefully you will call me on it!