GEM Alum, Dr. Robin Coger, named Dean, College of Engineering, NC A&T

North Carolina A&T State University Chancellor Harold L. Martin Sr. has appointed Dr. Robin N. Coger as dean of the College of Engineering, effective July. Coger replaces Dr. Winser Alexander, who served as interim dean of the College.

"Dr. Coger is an accomplished researcher who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in the engineering field. She is a visionary leader who has the ability to strengthen and enhance the educational, research, and outreach programs in our College of Engineering, which plays a vital role in assisting us in our efforts to fully realize our mission as well as to assist the university in more successfully contributing to the economic competitiveness of the Triad region and the state," said Martin.

Coger is the founder and director of the Center for Biomedical Engineering Systems at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She is also a professor of the Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Science Department within the William States Lee College of Engineering, where she served as interim chair of the department from July 2008 through June 2009. Additionally, she assisted with the planning and establishment of the interdisciplinary doctorate program in biology at UNC Charlotte and served as a founding faculty member of that program.

Over the past 15 years, Coger's research in Charlotte has focused on solving design and performance problems related to tissue engineered organs – with special emphasis on the development and safe storage of liver replacement devices. Her research has resulted in extensive publications in the areas of liver tissue engineering and cryopreservation, plus two patent applications. Coger was also recognized for her research with a National Science Foundation Faculty Early CAREER Award.

Coger is a fellow of both the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering.

She earned her B.S. degree from Cornell University, and holds M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of California - Berkeley, all in mechanical engineering. Coger completed her post-doctoral research training at Harvard Medical School.