Carnegie Mellon University Names Computer Science Professor Peter Lee Vice Provost for Research

Byron SpiceMonday, July 3, 2006

PITTSBURGH-Carnegie Mellon University Computer Science Professor Peter Lee has been named the university's new vice provost for research. Lee succeeds Duane Adams, who retired this past January after holding the post since 1996.

Lee is internationally recognized as a leading figure in computer science research, particularly in areas related to the use of advanced language technology in the design, implementation and analysis of operating systems and networks. He is best known for co-developing the patented "proof-carrying code," a technology for ensuring the safety of mobile code. Lee's work has been published extensively in major symposia and scientific journals, and he has been a principal investigator on many grants and contracts from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the National Science Foundation (NSF).

In addition to his research, Lee has played an active role in education at Carnegie Mellon. An award-winning teacher, Lee served as the School of Computer Science's associate dean for undergraduate programs from 2000 to 2004. Under his watch, Carnegie Mellon's undergraduate computer science program continued its rise to national prominence for its intensive problem-solving curriculum and unprecedented success in attracting women to the field.

"I am just delighted that Peter Lee has agreed to serve as vice provost for research," said Carnegie Mellon Provost and Senior Vice President Mark Kamlet. "I have always had tremendous respect and admiration for Peter's accomplishments and skills in research, education and administration. I very much look forward to him applying these skills to the wide range of exciting and challenging research issues and opportunities we face at Carnegie Mellon."

"I am extremely excited to be given this opportunity to work in the Provost's Office," Lee said. "During my years as a faculty member and associate dean, I have become more and more amazed at the scope and quality of the university's research activities. It is thus a great honor to serve in this capacity. I look forward to working with our faculty and administration, and hope that I can be helpful in expanding Carnegie Mellon's impact on the world."

Lee is a fellow of the Association for Computing Machinery and a member of the Board of Directors of the Computing Research Association. He is a member of the DARPA Information Science and Technology Study Board and a senior advisor to DARPA's Information Exploitation Office. He is also active in government affairs, having served on the Army Science Board and panels for the Defense Science Board. Lee has also participated on panels for the National Academy's Computer Science and Telecommunications Board and for the NSF. He is frequently invited to lecture at major universities and international symposia, and his expertise has been used by the legal system. He testified in the lawsuit between Sun and Microsoft in their legal battle over the Java programming language.

Lee joined Carnegie Mellon as a research computer scientist in 1987 after earning his Ph.D. in computer and communication science at the University of Michigan. He became an assistant professor in 1988, an associate professor in 1994 and a full professor in 2000.

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Byron Spice | 412-268-9068 | bspice@cs.cmu.edu