Professor Jack Puleo assumes the role July 1

Jack Puleo is the next Chair of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Delaware, effective July 1, 2020.

Puleo joined the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering in 2004 and has served as the department’s Associate Chair and the Director of the Center for Applied Coastal Research since 2017. Prior to coming to UD, he worked as a research oceanographer for the Naval Research Laboratory where he also has been an intermittent faculty member since 2016. He holds bachelor’s degrees in Oceanography and Mathematics from Humboldt State University, a master’s degree in Oceanography from Oregon State University and a doctoral degree in Coastal Engineering from the University of Florida.

Puleo’s research focuses primarily on sediment transport in nearshore environments, with other research projects including those concerning inlets, remote sensing of coastal and riverine processes, wetlands, object motion on beaches and beach safety. He teaches and works with undergraduate and graduate students, and he is actively involved in outreach activities aimed at providing opportunities for young researchers and early career professionals. He is the recipient of an NSF CAREER award, three excellence in teaching awards and an excellence in advising award.

As Chair, Puleo looks forward to building upon the department’s areas of research excellence, redoubling efforts in faculty mentoring, and educating the next generation of engineers.

Puleo succeeds former Chair Sue McNeil, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering.