SUNY Poly Appoints Two Wolfspeed Endowed Chairs
SUNY Polytechnic Institute has appointed two distinguished faculty members as Wolfspeed Endowed Chairs, marking a major milestone in the university’s research expansion. Dr. Mohammed Jasim Uddin has been named the Dr. John Palmour SUNY Polytechnic Endowed Chair, and Dr. Bongmook Lee has been named the Dr. John Edmond SUNY Polytechnic Endowed Chair.
These prestigious three-year appointments are supported through a historic gift from Wolfspeed that established endowed chair positions to enhance SUNY Poly’s ability to attract and retain top research talent. Endowed chairs maintain their faculty responsibilities while receiving annual research stipends to support their scholarly work. They also actively collaborate with Wolfspeed, strengthening a strategic partnership that advances cutting-edge technologies.
The establishment of these positions reflects the value of public-private partnerships in driving innovation, supporting faculty achievement, and expanding opportunities for students.
Meet the Chairs
Dr. Bongmook Lee, Associate Professor of Engineering Technology, specializes in wide- and ultra-wide bandgap semiconductor devices and wearable sensor systems. He has authored over 100 peer-reviewed publications, secured significant funding from federal, state, and industry partners, and holds two patents. Dr. Lee is also a co-founder of Olftech, a startup focused on sensor technologies, and is a senior member of IEEE. His work has contributed significantly to next-generation power electronics, Si-CMOS/memory technologies, and nanoelectronics.
Dr. Mohammed Jasim Uddin, Professor of Mechanical Engineering, is recognized internationally for his contributions to materials science and engineering. He has published more than 90 ISI-indexed journal articles, holds four U.S. patents, and has secured over $20 million in research funding. His work focuses on sustainable technologies including semiconductor nanomaterials manufacturing, solar and green energy solutions, and biomedical sensors. Dr. Uddin has mentored numerous students and postdoctoral scientists, served in leadership roles at previous institutions, and was recently recognized as an Editor of Distinction for Nature Scientific Reports.
