Hirleman returns to Purdue to lead corporate, global efforts

July 21, 2014  


E. Daniel Hirleman

E. Daniel Hirleman

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WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – E. Daniel Hirleman, currently dean of the School of Engineering at the University of California, Merced, and former head of Purdue’s School of Mechanical Engineering, will return to the university as its chief corporate and global partnerships officer, effective Aug. 18.

“The funding landscape is competitive, and, to be successful, we need to think broadly and globally,” Purdue President Mitch Daniels said. “Dr. Hirleman is an excellent choice to help spearhead our efforts to develop and enhance relationships and champion the benefits of partnering with Purdue.”

The position, housed in the Office of the Executive Vice President for Research and Partnerships, will be responsible for advancing research and education partnerships with the private sector and building partnerships with institutions of higher education, nongovernmental organizations and companies globally.

“Dr. Hirleman’s past record of developing unique educational collaborations with global partners and the collaborations he developed with the private sector will add an important dimension to the university’s partnership efforts and open new opportunities for Purdue faculty and student researchers,” said Suresh Garimella, executive vice president for research and partnerships. “I look forward to Dan’s contributions as our office embarks on broadening and diversifying the funding support for our faculty research.”

In addition, Hirleman will manage the Global Policy Research Institute and oversee Purdue’s Office of International Programs, while also acting as facilitator in support of international opportunities for students, faculty and researchers. He also will coordinate efforts with industry and foundations to offer a point of contact for company representatives to collaborate and partner with Purdue.

“I'm both thrilled and honored to return to my alma mater to serve in this new role,” Hirleman said. “Purdue is already a global leader in many aspects, but we can build even more robust relationships that better support our faculty and students and our strategic global partners in collaboratively changing the world. I'll be measured against that, and I look forward to the challenge and opportunity.”

Hirleman earned his bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in mechanical engineering from Purdue. He has been dean at UC Merced since 2010. Hirleman came to Purdue in 1999 as professor and head of mechanical engineering and from 2001-2010 was the William E. and Florence E. Perry Head of Purdue’s School of Mechanical Engineering. He previously was at Arizona State University’s College of Engineering as a professor and held multiple administrative postions there, including associate dean for research.

He has received several honors, including the INEER Achievement Award, the Hon. George Brown Award for International Scientific Cooperation and the 2009 Charles Russ Richards Memorial Award from ASME/Pi Tau Sigma. He is a fellow of ASME and served as director of Engineers for a Sustainable World.

His current research interests involve laser-based sensors to detect and identify cells and colonies for biohazard characterization, high-throughput screening, and stem cell diagnostics. His work has been supported by funding of more than $21 million in grants from industry and government, and 10 inventions or technologies developed in his lab have been licensed or are in commercial products. Hirleman also has about 200 technical publications and five U.S. patents. 

Sources: Suresh Garimella, sureshg@purdue.edu

E. Daniel Hirleman, hirleman@purdue.edu

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