Professor Steven R. Lerman has agreed to serve as chair of the faculty until next June, Professor Leona D. Samson announced today.
Lerman, who served as chair of the faculty in 1999-2001, will succeed Professor Lorna J. Gibson, who is stepping down to become associate provost, effective Aug. 1.
Lerman is the Class of 1922 Distinguished Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering. He also directs the Center for Educational Computing Initiatives and, until recently, was the deputy director of the Singapore-MIT Alliance. His research interests are in multimedia educational software, computer applications in education and transportation systems analysis.
Lerman received the S.B. (1972), S.M. (1973) and Ph.D. (1975) from MIT. He joined the civil and environmental engineering faculty in 1975 and became a full professor in 1984. He has authored more than 50 publications, including two books. He has held several chairs at MIT and has been recognized with awards for his teaching, including the chair he now holds.
Lerman and his wife, Lori, are the housemasters of the graduate student dormitory at 224 Albany St.
Samson made the announcement in her role as chair of the Committee on Nominations, which, in accordance with the Rules of the Faculty, has the responsibility to select a member of the faculty to serve out Gibson's unexpired term as chair of the faculty. Samson is the Ellison American Cancer Society Research Professor, director of the Center for Environmental Health Sciences and a professor of biology and of biological engineering.
Professor Bishwapriya Sanyal of the Department of Urban Studies and Planning, who is chair-elect, will begin his two-year term on schedule in July 2007. Sanyal is the Ford International Professor of Urban Studies and Planning and director of the Special Program for Urban and Regional Studies and the Hubert H. Humphrey Program.
