January 19, 2018
Kristan Corwin named associate dean for research in College of Arts and Sciences
Following an internal search, the College of Arts and Sciences has named Kristan Corwin as the new associate dean for research.
Since June 2017, Corwin has served as interim associate dean for research of the university's largest college, serving 22 academic departments, two ROTC programs, and two research centers. She succeeds Beth Montelone, who is now senior associate vice president for research. Corwin holds the rank of professor of physics and held the Ernest K. and Lillian E. Chapin professor in the physics department in 2017.
As associate dean for research, Corwin will work as a partner with the dean to support and grow the college's Research, Scholarship, Creative Activities and Discovery, or RSCAD, in its many forms. She will engage with faculty to foster interdisciplinary collaboration, promote the development of early career faculty, interface with the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, provide the dean with strategic planning and data analysis, and manage the college instructional fee programs and faculty enhancement program. Corwin will represent the college on the Associate Deans for Research Council and serve as a liaison to the Graduate School, coordinating with research compliance and safety offices. She also will oversee planning of facility construction and repair.
Amit Chakrabarti, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, expressed his support for Corwin's hire.
"We are very fortunate to have Dr. Corwin, who has top-notch research experience in her field and with interdisciplinary projects with other departments and colleges, to take leadership in moving the college of Arts and Sciences RSCAD program ahead," Chakarabarti said.
Corwin joined K-State in 2003 as an assistant professor and established a research group in optical frequency metrology and nonlinear optics, emphasizing gas-filled hollow optical fibers, optical frequency combs, and novel laser systems. She has co-authored more than 60 peer-reviewed publications, and served as principal investigator for more than $7 million in research funding since joining K-State.
Since 2006, she has served as principal investigator or co-principal investigator on a federally funded Research Experience for Undergraduates site in K-State's physics department. In 2015-16, she was a visiting fellow at JILA, University of Colorado, a joint institute for the study of astrophysics, biophysics, quantum information, precision measurement, and atomic, molecular and optical physics. She is currently serving as chair-elect of the American Physical Society Division of Laser Science.
Corwin holds a bachelor's degree in physics from the University at Buffalo and a master's and doctoral degree in physics from the University of Colorado, Boulder.