News-Letter

Hopkins recently appointed Dexter Smith as the new program chair of the Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE), within the University's Engineering Programs for Professionals (EPP). Smith currently serves as a member of the Applied Physics Laboratory and as the Laboratory's biomedicine business area executive.

Smith will take over the head position in the department at a significant time for computer and electrical engineering at Hopkins, as the department has taken on the key role of overseeing the preparation of students for the high-paced, ever-changing technological field.

"The ECE program is one of our important EPP programs, and I am sure that under Dr. Smith's leadership it will continue to play the important role it has in the region as a means by which professionals in this field can continue their education," said Nicholas Jones, dean of the Whiting School of Engineering (WSE), who made the selection.

Smith's new job as head of ECE Department will entail developing courses, scheduling courses, hiring instructors, reviewing student admissions and decisions and advising students.

"My goal for the program," he said, "is to continue to make it relevant to working professionals looking for a master's program that will keep them prepared for the technological change that will occur throughout their careers."

Jones added that important changes would be taking place under Smith's direction as well.

"We are developing online components for some of our courses and degree programs, and I am sure that some of the ECE courses will be made available in this format over the coming years."

Smith showed an interest in electrical engineering early in his life. "I chose electrical engineering as field because I could build and try things in my dorm room and later in my basement. Plus, at the time it was the most difficult major I could think of and I wanted a challenge," Smith said.

Smith brings experience and an extensive educational background to his new role. He received bachelor's and master's degrees in biomedical engineering, a second master's in electrical engineering, and a doctorate in electrical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Smith holds several patents in the U.S., is a senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, is a full member of the scientific research society Sigma Xi and is a licensed professional engineer in Maryland.

Before joining the APL in 1995, he worked at Gould Electronics, AlliedSignal and Noise Cancellation Technologies. Previously, Smith has taught and developed new courses with the WSE/EPP Electrical and Computer Engineering faculty. He was the program's vice-chair for the past six years. Brian Jennison will serve as the new vice-chair of ECE in EPP.

As the biomedicine business area executive at APL, Smith's duties entailed developing the business and personnel aspects of the then newly formed biomedicine branch. His efforts were not limited to the business field, but also included military projects that helped ensure the endurance of soldiers, including the development and testing of improved body armor, enhanced first-aid kits and refined prosthetic limbs.

In addition, Smith was responsible for the largest Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency program ever awarded to APL: Revolutionizing Prosthetics 2009. He has devoted time to other medical projects, including working with the School of Medicine on new technologies for prostate cancer detection.

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