Dinu, Liu appointed to senior administrative positions

Cerasela Zoica Dinu, left, and Xingbo Liu, right, have been appointed to administrative positions. (WVU Photo/Paige Nesbit)

Pedro Mago, Glen H. Hiner Dean of the Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources at West Virginia University has announced the appointments of two faculty members to administrative positions, effective October 1, 2021. 

Story by Olivia Miller, Communications Specialist

Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources

Cerasela Zoica Dinu, professor of chemical and biomedical engineering has been named as the first associate dean for student, faculty and staff engagement. Dinu previously served as the coordinator of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) strategic initiatives since February 2021 and associate chair of biomedical engineering from July 2015 until September 2021.

The new role created by Mago will support students, faculty and staff, as well as promote all efforts to proactively increase diversity, as well as work to advance the College’s vision and goals through the creation and implementation of strategic academic initiatives that ensure success, relevancy and sustainability for the interests of the College.

A highly accomplished researcher, Dinu joined the Statler College as an assistant professor in 2010, and since has received many notable awards including the National Science Foundation’s prestigious CAREER awardfor her work to identify technologies capable of increasing the world’s energy portfolio while reducing environmental impact.

“I hope to engage in ways that create a positive impact to help students, faculty and staff to truly succeed and thrive,” Dinu said. “I am excited to effect and be part of the change and I’m motivated to contribute to the College and University’s mission to empower our constituents.”

Xingbo Liu, Statler Endowed Chair Professor of Engineering and professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, has been appointed to associate dean of research. Liu has served as the interim associate dean for research since January 2020.

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

“I hope to continue to work with our faculty and researchers to grow the Statler College’s research enterprise and take our research to the next level,” Liu said.

Developing a strategic plan with the Dean and faculty, Liu hopes to establish new centers, improve on already 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.

“I am confident Dr. Dinu and Dr. Liu will do an excellent job in their roles,” said Mago. “Both of them are accomplished researchers and educators whose experience will be invaluable to the College. I am looking forward to working with them on the implementation of new initiatives to support all members of the Statler College community, and the collaboration and expansion of outstanding research across the College.”

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