Liu named interim associate dean of research in WVU’s Statler College

Xingbo Liu (WVU Photo/ Paige Nesbit)

Xingbo Liu, Statler endowed chair professor of engineering and associate chair of research in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at West Virginia University, has been appointed to interim associate dean of research, effective Jan. 1, 2020.

By Olivia Miller
Communications Specialist

Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources

Liu currently oversees one of the largest research groups at the University, with a group of approximately 20 graduate students, professionalsand post-doctoral research fellows.

“I am hoping to work with the dean, department chairs and faculty to develop strategies and plans for growth in key areas for which faculty are uniquely positioned to conduct world class programs,” Liu said.

Liu hopes to establish new research centers, improve existing research centers, facilitate and support key hires, improve connections and communications with funding agencies and provide support for proposal development and project execution while serving in his new role.

Internationally recognized in electrochemistry, Liu leads by example, reaching across oceans to develop and conduct research internationally. His efforts aredemonstrated in a joint project with Mansoura University in Egypt funded by the United States Agency for International Development and the National Academy of Science.

Liu and his research team will work with researchers from Mansoura University to develop new solid oxide fuel cells fueled with ammonia.

“This type of collaboration helps to increase the College’s visibility and presence worldwide,” Liu said. “It can also help to improve the possibility of future collaborations and graduate student recruitment. Through my own experience, and by talking to our faculty, I realized that finding good graduate students is one of the key challenges in growing our research.”

Liu began his professional career at WVU as a postdoctoral researcher in 2000 and joined the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering as a faculty member in 2002.

Liu has received several honors from the scientific community and the Statler College. He is a fellow of the American Ceramics Society, fellow of the American Society for Metals International, named Innovator of the Year by TechConnect West Virginia, recipient of the RD 100 Award, Early Career Faculty Fellow Award by the Minerals Metals and Materials Society and received the Federal Lab Consortium Tech Transfer Award.

His research focuses on the areas of electrochemical materials and devices for energy applications, solid oxide fuel cells, solid oxide electrolysis cells, high temperature alloys and corrosions, batteries and high temperature electrochemical sensors.

“I am excited to welcome Professor Liu to the leadership team of the Statler College,” said Interim Dean Earl Scime. “His extensive research experience and leadership in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering has well prepared him for this new role. I look forward to working with him in 2020 as we advance the research agenda of the College.”

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