The Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering has announced three departmental leadership changes.
Engineering School of Sustainable Infrastructure and Environment
Kurtis Gurley, Ph.D., a longtime civil engineering professor and former ESSIE associate director, has been named the interim director of the school, replacing Kirk Hatfield, Ph.D., who has returned to teaching.
“Kirk Hatfield’s successful tenure is demonstrated by the growth of ESSIE,” Gurley said. “Student accomplishments flourished, and the faculty expanded their impact through research and teaching. The vibrant culture he cultivated is the bedrock of our continued success. Kirk’s mixture of kindness, quiet dignity, and fervent loyalty and support enabled each person in ESSIE to thrive and contribute in their own unique way.”
Gurley noted he will continue to use the approach that has made ESSIE a success: Progress is a group activity.
“My mission is to support the students, staff, and faculty to achieve their own versions of success,” he said.
Gurley started at UF in 1997 at what was then the Department of Civil Engineering. He remained a devoted contributor to UF’s education and research for nearly 28 years. Gurley’s research covers wind effects on residential structures and stochastic modeling of extreme winds and structural resistance.
He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois and his graduate degrees from the University of Notre Dame.
Department of Chemical Engineering
Richard Dickinson, Ph.D., a former chair of the department and a faculty member for more than 30 years, will serve as the interim chair effective Aug. 16. He will replace Carlos Rinaldi-Ramos, Ph.D., who will continue to teach and conduct research.
Dickinson served as the department chair from 2009 to 2017, increasing philanthropic contributions during a time of substantial growth. Endowed faculty positions increased fourfold under his leadership, according to Forrest Masters, interim dean of the College of Engineering.
Dickinson also served as division director at the National Science Foundation for four years, leading the Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems (CBET) Division.
“After serving eight years as chair and spending another eight years away from the role, I am pleased to return—temporarily—as interim department chair to help guide the department through an exciting period of change at the departmental, college, and university levels,” said Dickinson.
Those changes include the department’s current renovation of the Chemical Engineering building and the newly reopened Chemical Engineering Student Center, a project Dickinson helped design.
“I look forward to helping our students, faculty and staff continue to thrive through these transitions while advancing our strategic plan and building on the momentum achieved under the outstanding leadership of Dr. Carlos Rinaldi,” he added, citing Rinaldi’s success in recruiting, research and funding.
Dickinson’s research area is molecular/cellular bioengineering. He earned his Ph.D. at the University of Minnesota.
Computer & Information Science & Engineering
Patrick Traynor, Ph.D., a professor and renowned cybersecurity researcher, will serve as the interim chair effective July 1, replacing Juan Gilbert, Ph.D., a celebrated computer engineering professor who will serve as a senior advisor to the dean on national engagement and will work on the National Science Board advising Ph.D. students and conducting research.
“Juan’s tenure as CISE chair has brought enormous positive change to the department, vastly expanding our areas of research, more than doubling our research expenditures, and heightening our impact within the university and far beyond. We are fortunate to have had him at the helm,” Traynor said.
Traynor is the John and Mary Lou Dasburg preeminent chair in Engineering and has been the CISE associate chair since 2018. He holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science and Engineering from Pennsylvania State University and served as an associate professor at Georgia Tech.