JB Lee, Ph.D., Named Chair of Electrical and Computer Engineering Department
WACO, Texas (May 5, 2023) – Baylor University’s School of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS) today announced the appointment of Jeong Bong (JB) Lee, Ph.D., as chair of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department (ECE), effective August 1, 2023.
“We are thrilled to have Dr. JB Lee bring his wealth of knowledge and leadership experience in research and academic administration to Baylor University. His expertise will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen and expand our vibrant Electrical and Computer Engineering Department,” said Erich Baker, Ph.D., interim dean of Baylor’s School of Engineering and Computer Science. “Dr. Lee embodies the best of Baylor faculty, with a character, mission fit, and commitment to excellence that sets a high standard for us all. We look forward to working alongside him to achieve even greater success in the years ahead."
For the past three years, Lee has served as associate department head for the Electrical and Computer Engineering Graduate Program at The University of Texas at Dallas, where he became a full professor in 2010. He was an assistant professor at Louisiana State University from 1999 to 2001. Lee received his doctorate in microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) from the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech).
“Christian values are very important to me, and I have endeavored to practice servant leadership in my work for the past 24 years in my teaching and research,” said Lee. “Baylor University has great reputation for excellence in education while becoming an R1 research institution without softening its Christian faith. I believe my view of the world is the same as Baylor’s, and that led me here.”
Working with colleagues, Lee increased enrollment in the UT-Dallas Electrical and Computer Engineering master’s program from 200 to 300. He hopes to leverage his strong track record in research to assist junior faculty to be successful researchers. Lee is a proponent of multi-disciplinary research and has led 22 students to earn their PhD degrees.
“Baylor ECS is well positioned to be a leader in the development of explosive growth of artificial intelligence tools in responsible ways,” said Lee. “The CHIPS and Science Act provides a huge opportunity for Baylor’s Electrical and Computer Engineering Department to greatly contribute to these technologies.”
In July 2022, Congress passed the H.R. 4346 CHIPS and Science Act to “strengthen domestic semiconductor manufacturing, design and research, fortify the economy and national security, and reinforce America’s chip supply chains,” according to the Semiconductor Industry Association.
Dr. Lee’s current research interests include MEMS, sensors, biomedical devices, and liquid metals. He is an associate editor of the IEEE Sensors Journal and is TPC co-chair for the IEEE Sensors 2023 Conference. Lee was elected to serve as an Administrative Committee member of the IEEE Sensors Council for the 2024-2025 term. He received the National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Award in 2001 and has seven U.S. patents, 93 journal papers, and more than 180 published conference papers receiving a total of more than 5,700 citations.
Lee served as a TPC co-chair for the IEEE Sensors 2022 Conference and as an executive program committee member for the Transducers Conference, along with many other journal editorship and conference leadership roles.
“Dr. Jeong-Bong (JB) Lee is excellent in all facets – teaching, research, administration – and he’s ready for the challenge,” said Lawrence J. Overzet, Ph.D., professor and immediate past department head of ECE at UT-Dallas. “Dr. Lee is the consummate colleague and a deft, encouraging leader. Our students and faculty have had much more joy and a higher level of satisfaction with Dr. Lee’s support.”
JB Lee will fill the ECE chair now held by Kwang Lee, Ph.D., who received a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award to South Korea, a prestigious and competitive fellowship of the Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
ABOUT THE SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND COMPUTER SCIENCE AT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
Baylor’s School of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS) has been preparing its students for more than 25 years as innovators for worldwide impact by training graduates for professional practice and responsible leadership with a Christian view. Students can choose from majors including bioinformatics, computer science, electrical and computer engineering, general engineering and mechanical engineering. ECS also offers graduate programs in all areas of study within the School. We stand out from the crowd through Christian commitment, a strong community, expert accessibility, leading practical experience and teamwork. Visit the ECS website to learn more and follow on Facebook and on Instagram.
ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked Research 1 institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 20,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.