Tamara Reid Bush will serve as the interim chairperson of the MSU Department of Mechanical Engineering (ME), effective Feb. 1, 2021. She is an associate professor of mechanical engineering and currently the College of Engineering Faculty Excellence Advocate.
She replaces MSU Foundation Professor and ME Chair James Klausner, who is taking a leave of absence from MSU after five years of service.
Engineering Dean Leo Kempel said Reid Bush joins the college's management team to guide the ME department in its continued growth during the time until a settled chairperson is appointed. She will work collaboratively with the Dean's office and other departments in her new role.
"Tammy has been a valued member of our faculty in mechanical engineering since 2009," Kempel said. "She has been recognized for her leadership in not only research, but also in efforts to enhance diversity and accessibility for our faculty and students."
Reid Bush was a co-principal investigator on the NSF ADVANCE grant that among other changes at MSU, established the position of Faculty Excellence Advocate, a position she now holds in the college.
In 2018, she was awarded the "Inspirational Woman of the Year" honor by the MSU Center for Gender in the Global Context. Most recently, she received a 2020 Founders Award from the American Society of Biomechanics in recognition of her significant research contributions in the area of biomechanics.
"She is also viewed as a dedicated and inspiring teacher," Kempel continued.
Klausner assumed the role of dean of the College of Engineering at United Arab Emirates (UAE) University in January 2021. UAE University, in Al Ain, is the nation's flagship university.
His new college offers seven bachelor's degrees - Architectural Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Communication Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Petroleum Engineering - all of which are recognized nationally by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and accredited by ABET. PhDs are offered in all of the Engineering disciplines.
UAE University is also the home to research centers in Health Sciences, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, National Space Science and Technology, Roadway Transportation & Traffic Safety, Public Policy and Leadership, Water, Date Palm Research & Development, Learning Outcomes, Energy and Environment Research; and Big Data Analytics.
Klausner's professional interests will continue to focus on developing major clean energy research initiatives.
Kempel said the ME department grew to its largest enrollment in the history of the college during Klausner's leadership.
"Mechanical engineering students generally represent 25 percent of our 6,000 undergraduates. Faculty members have collaborated on an impressive array of grants and have been recognized by leading awards that add national stature to the department and its talented mechanical engineers," Kempel continued.
The department currently has multiple projects with the U.S. Department of Energy's Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E), which Klausner provided leadership for. There has been award-winning attention on improving problem-solving skills and fluency in engineering education, international outreach to provide sustainable power, biomechanical advancements, and other transformative initiatives.
"Through his leadership and guidance, our Spartan Engineers are building a better world while also teaching the next generation to do likewise. On behalf of the faculty, staff, and students of the college and MSU, I would like to thank James for his dedicated and inspirational service."
More on Tamara Reid Bush:
- Biomechanical research featured on: LiveBig - Big Ten Network video
- Named ASME Fellow.