Why a critical juncture?
We are at a critical juncture in our society—a period marked by extreme technological and social change. This site proposes ideas and challenges for moving forward as a society by advancing social mobility, access to higher education, and active participation in STEM development.
James Robert Martin, II, PhD, M. ASCE
James Robert Martin, II is Vice Chancellor of STEM Innovation and Research at the University of Pittsburgh. The University of Pittsburgh is a public R1 research university, ranking among the top 3% in research expenditures, with over $1.1 billion annually, and No.3 in NIH funding.
Dr. Martin is cultivating transformative initiatives that span across the university’s STEM ecosystem of 17 Colleges and four regional campuses. He is focusing on building partnerships and collaborations with industry and government, and broadening access to engage the “missing millions” from our nation’s STEM education and workforce pipelines and pathways.
Prior to Vice Chancellor of STEM Innovation and Research, Dr. Martin was U.S. Steel Dean of Engineering of the Swanson School of Engineering (2018 -2022). He led this top-flight endowed engineering program with approximately 2,900 undergraduates, 850 graduates, 70 Research/Postdoctoral associates, 200 faculty members, 125 professional staff, across 6 departments, including pioneering interdisciplinary programs between engineering and Health Sciences. The School is among the top 10 programs in the nation for retention and graduation rates.
Under his leadership, the Swanson School advanced in key strategic areas, including research expenditures, Ph.D. enrollments, first-year enrollments, faculty and student diversity, retention and graduation rates, annual giving, and unprecedented industry and government partnerships, including national labs.
Martin focuses on the role of engineering and STEM in solving society’s largest problems, from community resilience to social change.
Career
August 2022-Present: Vice Chancellor For STEM Research and Innovation Vice Chancellor For STEM Research and Innovation, University of Pittsburgh.
2018-2022: U.S. Steel Dean of Engineering of the Swanson School of Engineering, University of Pittsburgh
2013-2018: Founding Executive Director, Risk Engineering and Systems Analytics Institute (RESA) Clemson University
Department Chair of Civil Engineering, Clemson University
2007-2013: Founding Director, Disaster Risk Management Institute (DRM-VT) at Virginia Tech
2004-2013: Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech
1995-2004: Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech
1992-1999: Assistant Director, $1.5 million NSF-sponsored Charles Minor Engineering Fellowship Program for College of Engineering, Virginia Tech
1990-1995: Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech
Education
B.S. Civil Engineering, The Citadel, Charleston, S.C.
M.S. Civil Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.
Ph.D. Civil Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.