School of Engineering Welcomes Interim Dean Alberto Cuitiño

The School of Engineering is pleased to welcome Alberto Cuitiño as Interim Dean of the School of Engineering, replacing Thomas Farris who recently announced his decision to step down from his role as dean. Dr. Cuitiño joined the School of Engineering in 1993 and most recently served as professor and chair of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE). Following the announcement of his appointment by Rutgers-New Brunswick Chancellor-Provost Francine Conway, Dr. Cuitiño stated he was “honored to step into this new role and continue to advance the many projects and initiatives underway at SoE.” 

“Our dynamic school includes talented faculty and students conducting innovative research across the field of engineering,” he continued. “I look forward to furthering the many exciting initiatives underway at the school and advancing our reach among broader communities of students, alumni, innovators, and industry. 

In his role as MAE department chair, Dr. Cuitiño worked alongside school administrators, faculty members, and staff to ensure the highest academic and research standards for the department and school. Under his leadership the department added 18 new full-time faculty members; established a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering along with a Master of Engineering degree and international 3+2 and 4+1 programs; and developed graduate certificates in advanced manufacturing, robotics and automation, space, additive manufacturing, and business innovation. He served as the Rutgers site leader in establishing the National Science Foundation (NSF) Engineering Research Center for Structured Organic Particulate Systems (ERC-SOPS). He also served as the Principal Investigator for the NSF Industry-Academia Research Partnership in Developing and Implementing Non-Destructive Characterization and Assessment of Pharmaceutical Oral Doses in Continuous Manufacturing in conjunction with Johnson & Johnson.  

His expertise includes pharmaceutical manufacturing, solid mechanics, multiscale modeling, dislocation mechanics, and granular materials. He also has extensive experience in material modeling and characterizing complex systems, having participated in several multi-university research programs supported by government and industry. He is a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. 

As the School of Engineering continues to move forward, Dr. Cuitiño says he is most excited about having the opportunity to get to know and work more closely with faculty, students, alumni, and industry partners.  

“Together we can continue the trajectory of making Rutgers a global engineering leader.”