Dr. Vicki Colvin stands as a distinguished leader in nanomaterials research with significant contributions spanning engineering, chemistry, and biomedical applications. She currently serves as the Victor Kreible Professor of Chemistry and Engineering at Brown University where she also directs the Center for Biomedical Engineering, holding a joint appointment in molecular pharmacology. After completing her doctoral studies under Paul Alivisatos at the University of California, Berkeley, she established herself as a rising force in nanotechnology research, eventually leading to her decade-long directorship of the National Science Foundation Center for Biological and Environmental Nanotechnology from 2001 to 2011. Her career trajectory demonstrates exceptional versatility, having served as vice provost for research at Rice University before joining Brown University as provost in 2014, where she later stepped down to focus on research while continuing her professorship and directorship roles.
Dr. Colvin's pioneering research on the synthesis and characterization of nanomaterials has fundamentally advanced the understanding of how nanoscale materials interact with biological and environmental systems, establishing critical frameworks for nanomaterial safety and application. Her decade-long leadership of the NSF Center for Biological and Environmental Nanotechnology catalyzed groundbreaking interdisciplinary research that bridged engineering, chemistry, and life sciences, resulting in numerous high-impact publications that shaped national research priorities in nanotechnology. Her work has been instrumental in developing methodologies for nanomaterial characterization with applications ranging from medical diagnostics to environmental remediation technologies, providing foundational insights adopted by researchers worldwide. The practical significance of her research extends to clinical applications and regulatory frameworks, informing safety guidelines for nanomaterials used in consumer products and medical devices.
Beyond her research achievements, Dr. Colvin has demonstrated exceptional leadership through her service as editor of the journal Small and her appointment as chair of the committee conducting the quadrennial review of the National Nanotechnology Initiative by The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. She has been recognized with prestigious fellowships including the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 2007 and the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering in 2011, underscoring her significant contributions to both basic science and applied engineering. Her innovative approach to education includes developing courses for Coursera and advocating for flipped classroom learning methodologies to enhance STEM education accessibility. Currently, she continues to advance the frontiers of nanomaterials research while preparing to assume her new role as dean of the Louisiana State University College of Engineering, where she will undoubtedly shape the next generation of engineering education and research in the southeastern United States.
