The University of Arkansas at Little Rock announced several key leadership appointments in the Donaghey College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
Dr. Srikanth Pidugu, professor of mechanical engineering, has been named the inaugural Yupo Chan Director of the School of Engineering and Engineering Technology. With more than 25 years of experience in engineering education, Pidugu has held multiple leadership roles, including chair of the Department of Engineering Technology and coordinator for several undergraduate programs. He is a licensed professional engineer in Arkansas and has led significant efforts in ABET accreditation, curriculum development, and faculty mentoring.
“Engineering and engineering technology education is not just about theory,” Pidugu said. “It is about creating opportunities where students engage with real-world challenges, develop practical skills, and discover their own potential to innovate and lead.”
Dr. Michael DeAngelis has been named director of the School of Physical Sciences. A faculty member since 2011, DeAngelis brings extensive leadership experience, including service as program coordinator of geology and co-director of both the Campus Garden and the Academy for Teaching and Learning Excellence. His research focuses on nanophase mineral synthesis and Arkansas geology.
“I am truly astounded by the passion of the School of Physical Sciences faculty,” DeAngelis said. “It is my goal to help find new ways to support their research endeavors, encourage their growth in teaching, and to broadly share their amazing accomplishments.”
Dr. Ahmed Abu Halimeh has been appointed interim director of the Emerging Analytics Center (EAC), a leading Arkansas laboratory for virtual and augmented reality research. Abu Halimeh, an associate professor in information science and interim chair of the Department of Computer Science, joined UA Little Rock in 2021. A two-time graduate of UA Little Rock, he brings experience in healthcare informatics, data visualization, and information quality, with previous leadership roles in academia and research at Arkansas Children’s Hospital.
Dr. Sinéad Ní Chadhain has been named chair of the Department of Biology. A new addition to UA Little Rock, Ní Chadhain previously served as an associate professor of biology at the University of South Alabama. She earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Scranton and a Ph.D. in marine studies from the University of Delaware, with a concentration in marine biology and biochemistry. Her experience includes research roles at Rutgers University’s Biotechnology Center for Agriculture and the Environment, where she focused on environmental microbiology and microbial ecology.
“This group brings a combination of institutional knowledge and fresh perspectives that will help move our college forward,” said Dean Tansel Karabacak. “I’m confident their leadership will spark innovation, foster collaboration, and continue to elevate the national reputation of DCSTEM.”