Breadcrumb Navigation:
Home > Featured Stories > Innovation and Discovery > February 2009 > Best in StateBest in State
Finding solutions to some of the world's most pressing problems is what engineering is all about, and that's what we're communicating to our students.
Dr. Louis A. Martin-Vega, dean of NC State's College of Engineering
Dr. Louis A. Martin-Vega's research and teaching interests include manufacturing systems, logistics and distribution, operations management, and production and service systems.
By Nate DeGraff, College of Engineering
The North Carolina Society of Engineers has named Dr. Louis A. Martin-Vega, dean of NC State's College of Engineering, the Outstanding Engineer in North Carolina for 2008.
Martin-Vega accepted the award Jan. 31 at a banquet in Research Triangle Park. Society President Lynn Eury praised Martin-Vega for his "outstanding executive leadership" in a letter announcing the award.
Since arriving at NC State in 2006, Martin-Vega has helped cement the College's national and international reputation as an elite public engineering school. Under his leadership, the College has attracted more research funding, risen in national rankings and continued to build a diverse and talented group of faculty and students. In 2008, the National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded NC State an Engineering Research Center grant, one of the largest and most coveted awards made by the federal agency.
"I'm so proud to be associated with this College and the people who make it great," Martin-Vega said. "This honor would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of faculty, students, staff, alumni and friends who make NC State such a dynamic environment for engineering research and education."
Martin-Vega came to NC State from the University of South Florida, where he was dean of engineering from 2001 to 2006. He previously served as acting head of the Engineering Directorate at NSF, overseeing a $440 million budget supporting research and education programs. He has also held faculty and administrative positions at Lehigh University, the Florida Institute of Technology, the University of Florida and the University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez. His research and teaching interests include manufacturing systems, logistics and distribution, operations management, and production and service systems.
"Finding solutions to some of the world's most pressing problems is what engineering is all about, and that's what we're communicating to our students," Martin-Vega said. "I believe that we are engineering a better tomorrow here at NC State."
Among his numerous awards are the Albert Holtzman Distinguished Educator Award from Institute of Industrial Engineers, the 2007 National Hispanic Scientist of the Year from the Museum of Science & Industry and selection as one of Hispanic Business magazine's 100 Most Influential Hispanics in the nation for 2007. He has authored or co-authored several manuscripts, book chapters and book reviews, as well as dozens of scientific and technical publications.
Martin-Vega, a native of New York, received his bachelor's degree in industrial engineering from the University of Puerto Rico in 1969. He earned a master's degree in operations research from New York University in 1971 and a master's in systems engineering from the University of Florida in 1973. He received his Ph.D. in industrial and systems engineering from the University of Florida in 1975.
The North Carolina Society of Engineers, founded in 1918, is a non-profit, non-partisan, non-sectarian organization that helps promote the social, economic, and technical interests of the engineering profession throughout the state.
