Yafeng Yin named interim CEE department chair

Yafeng Yin has been appointed the new interim chair of Civil & Environmental Engineering (CEE), effective December 1, 2021.

Yin will step into this role for one year following the departure of current chair Jerome P. Lynch, who has been named the Vinik Dean of Duke University’s Pratt School of Engineering.

“As I prepare to depart this amazing community, I leave knowing that CEE is in extremely good hands. Professor Yin has always demonstrated an unwavering commitment to advancing the good of the department,” said Lynch.

Yin joined the CEE faculty as a professor in 2017. He recently served as CEE’s associate department chair of graduate programs and is also a professor in Industrial and Operations Engineering. Beginning in December, Associate Professor Krista Wigginton will take over the role of associate department chair of graduate programs, and Associate Professor Jeff Scruggs will move into Wigginton’s current role as master’s chair.

“I am deeply honored by this opportunity. In his four years as department chair, Professor Lynch has spearheaded strong strategic planning efforts for CEE, including our strategic vision and a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion plan. Under his leadership, we launched the Pelham Scholars Program as well as three new centers: the Center for Smart Infrastructure Finance, the Center for Low Carbon Built Environment and the Urban Collaboratory. I am excited to continue the excellent work that is ongoing in these areas,” said Yin.

Yin’s research interests include analysis, modeling, design and optimization of transportation systems towards achieving sustainability and economic efficiency. For six years, he served as editor-in-chief of Transportation Research: Part C. He has received the Chinese Overseas Transportation Association (COTA) Outstanding Leadership Award and served as COTA’s board president for two years. Earlier this year, Professor Yin received both the College of Engineering’s Monroe-Brown Foundation Education Excellence Award and its Staff-Faculty Partnership Award.

“Professor Yin is well equipped to continue the department’s legacy of leadership and excellence in the field of civil and environmental engineering. His deep commitment to collaboration and inclusivity will propel the CEE community forward to develop innovative solutions in service to society,” said Alec D. Gallimore, the Robert J. Vlasic Dean of Engineering, the Richard F. and Eleanor A. Towner Professor, an Arthur F. Thurnau Professor, and a professor of aerospace engineering.