May 2020
Featured Article
Hai Xiao Named Interim Chair of Clemson University's
Holcombe Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Hai Xiao is the new interim chair of Clemson University’s Holcombe Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
Since joining Clemson in 2013, Xiao has earned a reputation for bringing together multidisciplinary teams to work on big research projects. Several of those projects have helped Clemson stake a claim as a national leader in developing new technology for extreme environments, including sensors that can withstand the intense heat of gas turbines and the extreme pressure at the bottom of hydraulic-fracturing wells.
As interim chair, Xiao oversees teaching, research and service in one of Clemson’s largest departments, the academic home of 700 students, 37 faculty members and 11 staff members. The department reported $9.8 million in research expenditures last fiscal year, the highest in Clemson’s College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences.
The department’s pillar areas include photonics (applied electromagnetics and electronics), power (systems, controls and power electronics) and computer engineering (communications, networking, artificial intelligence and machine learning).
“I am grateful for this amazing opportunity,” said Xiao, who also serves as the Samuel Lewis Bell Distinguished Professor in Electrical and Computer Engineering. “We have a great department with an excellent faculty, a diversified student body and friendly staff. The department is fortunate to have strong support from the college and university.”
Xiao’s appointment took effect March 16. He replaced Daniel Noneaker, who stepped down to become associate dean for research in Clemson’s College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences.
As department chair, Xiao plans to continue building collaborations with other departments and positioning ECE faculty to lead and participate in multidisciplinary research centers. He also expects to sharpen the department’s focus on helping young faculty members succeed and on graduating more Ph.D. students.
“In addition to electrical engineering and computer engineering, we also have a unique photonics Ph.D. program with world-class facilities,” Xiao said. “We are well positioned to have a global impact now and in the future.
Xiao received his Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Prior to joining Clemson, he was an electrical engineering professor at Missouri University of Science and Technology.
His primary research interests are sensors, instrumentation and advanced manufacturing for applications in energy generation and distribution, intelligent infrastructure, clean environment, affordable healthcare, and national security.
Xiao has co-authored over 300 technical papers and participated in 43 research projects. He has worked on many collaborative research projects in the past 10 years, and his share of funding has come to $15 million from various sources, including federal agencies, national laboratories and private companies.
You can learn more about Xiao and his recent accomplishments here: https://newsstand.clemson.edu/hai-xiao-to-lead-holcombe-department-of-electrical-and-computer-engineering/