Nurcin Celik, a professor of industrial and systems engineering and director of the Simulation and Optimization Research Lab, has been appointed associate dean for research at the University of Miami College of Engineering, where she will help chart the college’s research direction and further strengthen its culture of innovation.
Celik has dedicated her career to investigating decision making tools that help systems operate more efficiently in uncertain conditions. Her team works at the intersection of data, optimization and system dynamics, addressing challenges such as energy resilience, smart infrastructure and decision-making under stress. Her national reputation is reflected in awards that include not only the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) but also the Air Force Office of Scientific Research Young Investigator Award and the University of Miami Provost’s Award for Scholarly Activity that recognized her team’s work in modeling and optimization of dynamic data driven systems.
“Our research initiatives are growing rapidly, and Dr. Celik’s leadership will help us take it to the next level,” said Vincent Omachonu, interim dean of the College of Engineering. “She has the vision and experience to ensure that our research creates real-world impact, while also enriching the learning experience for our students.”
The College of Engineering has built a reputation for tackling challenges that resonate both regionally and globally. Its unique setting provides natural opportunities to advance research in clean energy, resilient infrastructure, health technologies, advanced manufacturing, and the rapidly evolving fields of artificial intelligence and autonomous systems.
Celik now joins Nina Miville, associate dean for undergraduate studies, and Noel Ziebarth, associate dean for graduate studies, on the college’s leadership team. Together, the three will help the College of Engineering’s academic and research mission across the full spectrum, from undergraduate education to graduate training to groundbreaking research.
