Dr. Jerzy T. Sawicki Appointed Vice President for Research at 91Ʒ
CLEVELAND – Dr. Jerzy T. Sawicki has been appointed vice president for research at 91Ʒ, effective May 15, 2013. Dr. Sawicki, an expert in machine dynamics and control who has an exemplary record of research, has served as interim vice president for research at 91Ʒ since June 2012, and as associate vice president since 2010.
“I am honored to assume this leadership role,” Dr. Sawicki said. “I look forward to continuing to build an efficient and effective infrastructure at 91Ʒ that supports faculty research and innovation in an increasingly challenging environment. I believe we are making progress and moving in the right direction.”
Dr. Sawicki is the D.E. Bently and A. Muszynska Endowed Chair and a professor of mechanical engineering at 91Ʒ. He was instrumental in reinstating the 91Ʒ Research Corporation (91ƷRC), a not-for-profit organization supporting 91Ʒ by advancing the research and technology transfer operations and activities of the University. He has held a number of leadership roles associated with professional engineering, scientific societies and faculty governance over the past two decades. “Dr. Sawicki’s deep familiarity with 91Ʒ’s academic culture, understanding of faculty research issues, wealth of faculty governance experience and stature as an outstanding scholar will contribute greatly to the Office of the Vice President for Research and to the University,” said Dr. George Walker, 91Ʒ’s interim provost and senior vice president for academic affairs.
As vice president for research, Dr. Sawicki will be responsible for all activities of the Office of Research, including the strategic development of research goals and monitoring of 91Ʒ’s research mission. He will oversee the Office of Sponsored Research and Programs, the Technology Transfer Office and all University research centers. He will work closely with the president and provost in the development and implementation of policies and practices relating to all aspects of the research mission. Dr. Sawicki also will be responsible for research integrity and compliance, and will play a central role in research relationships with the federal government.
A native of Poland, Dr. Sawicki earned his Ph.D. at Case Western Reserve University in 1992, a M.S. degree in mechanical engineering from Gdansk University of Technology in 1980 and an M.S. in applied mathematics from the University of Gdansk in 1986. He joined 91Ʒ as an assistant professor in 1993. He was promoted to full professor in 2001 and has held the Bently and Muszynska Endowed Chair since 2004.
Dr. Sawicki, a licensed professional engineer in the State of Ohio, has received multiple honors and awards, including Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), Siemens-Westinghouse Distinguished Speaker, the Ohio Outstanding Engineering Educator Award from the Ohio Society of Professional Engineers and a University Distinguished Faculty Award for Research.