A New Era of Leadership in 2026 As the Tulane School of Science and Engineering Welcomes New Associate Dean and Department Chairs
The Tulane University School of Science and Engineering (SSE) is entering an exciting new chapter of growth, community engagement, and academic innovation as it celebrates a historic wave of leadership appointments. With a newly appointed Associate Dean and a dynamic cohort of department chairs stepping into their roles, the school is well-positioned to advance its mission of rigorous, collaborative scholarship and global impact.
July 10th, 2026|The Tulane University School of Science and Engineering (SSE) is entering an exciting new chapter of growth, community engagement, and academic innovation as it celebrates a historic wave of leadership appointments. With a newly appointed Associate Dean and a dynamic cohort of department chairs stepping into their roles, the school is well-positioned to advance its mission of rigorous, collaborative scholarship and global impact. Steering Master’s Programs & Professional EducationDr. Ilianna Kwaske – Associate Dean for MS Programs and Professional EducationEffective May 16, Dr. Ilianna Kwaske joined the SSE Dean's Office, transitioning from Tulane’s School of Professional Advancement (SoPA), where she had served with distinction since 2017. Holding a Ph. D. in industrial-organizational psychology, Dr. Kwaske brings over two decades of expertise spanning higher education and business consulting, with a stellar track record in strategic planning, program development, and managing organizational change. At SoPA, she successfully spearheaded massive growth in enrollment and giving, led the Learning Design & Development team, and served as a vital SACSCOC evaluator. In addition to her new administrative role, she will serve as a Senior Professor of Practice in the Department of Psychology. SSE Dean Hridesh Rajan noted that her decades of experience will be a "tremendous asset" as SSE expands its graduate offerings and solidifies interdisciplinary collaboration. A Wave of New Department ChairsThe school is also celebrating seven exceptional faculty appointments to department chair roles, each bringing a targeted vision to elevate their respective academic communities. Dr. Hank Ashbaugh (Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering):A faculty member since 2004, Dr. Ashbaugh takes over as permanent chair of CBE after a highly successful stint as interim chair. Known for his expertise in molecular theory and complex systems, he has made organizational storytelling and public outreach core tenets of his leadership. By revitalizing the department's "visibility committee," he aims to showcase the everyday impact of chemical engineering through student spotlights and lab-side profiles. Dr. Esther Calzada (Department of Psychology):Joining Tulane this fall from the University of Texas at Austin—where she served as Associate Dean for Research in the School of Social Work—Dr. Calzada is a nationally recognized child psychologist. Her deeply impactful, NIH- and NSF-supported research focuses on how culture, identity, and schools shape the mental health of Latinx and immigrant children. Drawn to Tulane’s rich tradition of service learning, Dr. Calzada is eager to connect psychological science with the real-world fabric of New Orleans. "I don't believe as much in knowledge for the sake of knowledge," she shared. "I believe in knowledge for the sake of human good. "Dr. Bruce C. Gibb (Department of Chemistry):Stepping into leadership for the Department of Chemistry is Dr. Bruce C. Gibb, an internationally renowned researcher elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry in 2018. Originally from Scotland, where he earned his Ph. D. from Robert Gordon University, Dr. Gibb joined the Tulane faculty in 2012. He is a premier authority in aqueous supramolecular chemistry, specializing in how molecules self-assemble, and serves as the co-editor-in-chief of the journalSupramolecular Chemistry. Dr. Gibb's deep dedication to fundamental chemical discovery brings seasoned, elite scientific leadership to the department. Dr. Ryan Glasser (Department of Physics and Engineering Physics):Since coming to Tulane in 2014 from an NRC postdoctoral fellowship at NIST, Dr. Glasser has championed a highly collaborative, undergraduate-centered research culture. Stepping into the chair role during an era of significant departmental growth, he is heavily focused on launching two highly anticipated new master's programs in electrical and mechanical engineering starting in fall 2026. Dr. Michelle Lacey (Department of Mathematics):A cornerstone of the mathematics faculty since 2003, Dr. Lacey holds a Ph. D. in Statistics from Yale University. Promoted to full Professor in 2023, she also brings crucial interdisciplinary perspective as an adjunct faculty member in Biostatistics and an affiliate of the Tulane Cancer Center. Her specialized research in statistical modeling, stochastic processes, and epigenetics reinforces the department's standard for rigorous data-driven inquiry. Dr. Lu Peng (Department of Computer Science):Stepping in as interim chair is Dr. Lu Peng, who holds the prestigious Yahoo! Founder Chair in Science and Engineering. A senior member of the IEEE and ACM, Dr. Peng earned his Ph. D. from the University of Florida. His pioneering research sits at the bleeding edge of technology, focusing on computer systems architecture, quantum processors, blockchain applications, and accelerators for deep learning neural networks. Dr. Peng’s elite technical background ensures forward-thinking leadership for the department during this transitional era. Dr. Sunshine Van Bael (Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology):Having joined Tulane in 2012 following her work at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama, Dr. Van Bael has purposefully trained for university leadership through Tulane’s Leadership Institute and the Center for Restorative Approaches. Her research bridges tropical forests with Louisiana's coastal ecosystems. As chair, she aims to secure expansive field-research grants for PhD candidates, safeguard and relocate Tulane’s massive, world-class freshwater fish museum collection, and foster resilience against climate anxiety. While these leaders helm wildly diverse fields—ranging from quantum physics and child psychology to ecosystem conservation and statistical theory—they are united by a central Tulane philosophy: building small, deeply collaborative, and incredibly supportive communities. As they assume their new offices, they collectively embody an SSE ecosystem where elite, bench-to-bedside research directly serves the students on campus and the wider New Orleans community.