Walker Named Head of UW Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

After a competitive search, the University of Wyoming College of Engineering and Physical Sciences has selected Ian Walker to take on the role of head of the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, effective Aug. 20.

"I am thrilled to have the opportunity to join UW and to work with my new colleagues in the department and across campus," Walker says. "This is an exciting time for the university, with a number of innovations and initiatives planned and in progress. I am looking forward to being a part of and contributing to those developments."

As the new leader, Walker's goal is to continue the department's already strong efforts in education, research and outreach, and expand its activities and impact within Wyoming and well beyond. He succeeds Professor Bryan Shader, who has been serving as interim department head.

Walker received his Ph.D. (1989) and M.S. (1985) in electrical engineering from the University of Texas-Austin, and a bachelor's degree (1983) in mathematics from the University of Hull in England. He began his academic career on the faculty of Rice University and then moved to Clemson University, where he has served as a full professor since 2001.

Walker's research focuses on robotics that mimic the movement of an elephant trunk or an octopus arm, which have many applications, including medical procedures and space operations, as well as controlled environments in agriculture.

Walker's research has been funded by the National Science Foundation, NASA, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the Department of Energy and the Office of Naval Research, with his portion of the funding totaling over $10 million. He has published over 100 refereed journal articles and over 180 peer-reviewed conference papers.

"I am very pleased that Ian Walker accepted our offer to lead the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science," says Cameron Wright, the Carrell Family Dean of the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences. "I am impressed by his vision and his leadership style, and I'm confident he will inspire and motivate the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science to even greater achievements."

To learn more about the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, visit www.uwyo.edu/EECS.