The University of Virginia’s School of Engineering and Applied Science, recognized for advancing innovation and excellence, has bolstered its UVA Engineering Foundation Board of Trustees (UVEF) with the addition of six exceptional new engineering leaders who will join the Foundation Board at the Fall meeting this weekend. These individuals, hailing from diverse fields including technology, aerospace, biotechnology, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, are not only experts in their areas but also passionate advocates for education and innovation. As they join forces with the School, their collective wisdom and insights are poised to shape the future of UVA Engineering, making it an even greater force in addressing the world’s most complex challenges.
Each new member brings a unique blend of expertise, leadership and a shared commitment to innovation and impactful research.
Jennifer L. West, Dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Science and Saunders Family Professor of Engineering, sees this as an important moment in the school’s trajectory. “We are thrilled to welcome such an accomplished group of leaders to the Foundation Board,” she said. “Each new member brings a unique blend of expertise, leadership and a shared commitment to innovation and impactful research. Their insights will help guide us as we continue to advance engineering excellence and prepare future generations of engineers.”
One of those leaders, Anne Hammons Aunins, comes from the biotechnology sector where her work has had a profound impact on the development of new drugs and vaccines. A UVA graduate with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering (’85) and a Ph.D. from MIT (’91), Aunins spent most of her early career developing and scaling up processes for manufacturing critical vaccines. During the second half of her career, she broadened her scope of leadership to include cross-functional teams responsible for developing and executing integrated strategies for all elements of vaccine development, including clinical, manufacturing, regulatory, and commercial. Her recent roles have included leading the COVID vaccine program for Moderna and overseeing development of a portfolio of latent virus, gastrointestinal, and bacterial vaccines. Anne previously served on the Chemical Engineering Departmental Advisory Board.
William A. “Bill” Carpenter, is a cyber expert and proud UVA Engineering triple ‘Hoo, with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering (’70), an M.C.S in Computer Science (’75), and a Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics (’80). Carpenter brings decades of experience back to the school where he first developed his passions for problem solving and for safeguarding critical infrastructure. With a career focused on national security interests, Carpenter has been at the forefront of developing and enhancing critical systems. He retired after a full career as a Principal Scientist at The MITRE Corporation.
A revered figure in the world of aerospace engineering, Wesley L. “Wes” Harris joins the Board with a legacy of leadership and mentorship that spans decades. Harris, the Charles Stark Draper Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics and former department head at MIT, has been instrumental in advancing aerospace research and innovation. After earning his B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from UVA in 1964 and his Ph.D. from Princeton, Harris built a distinguished career known for technical excellence and pioneering advancements in the field. He was appointed as a Vice President of the National Academy of Engineering in 2022.
Kenneth R. Lutchen, senior advisor to the President of Boston University, the interim provost (2023 – 2024 academic year) also at BU, and professor of biomedical engineering and former Dean of Boston University’s College of Engineering, Lutchen brings a wealth of interdisciplinary expertise to the Board. With a B.S. in Engineering Science from UVA (’77) and a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from Case Western (’83), Lutchen has pioneered computational models for diagnosing and treating lung diseases. His leadership has underscored the critical role of cross-disciplinary collaboration in addressing today’s most complex scientific challenges. His daughter, Jennifer, is part of the Engineering school class of 2028.
Thomas C. Skalak, is Senior Advisor to the Founders at the Joe and Clara Tsai Foundation, making philanthropic investments in science and technology, social justice, and the arts and culture. He was previously the founding Executive Director of the Paul G. Allen Frontiers Group, working directly with Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen. Tom is a renowned expert in biomedical engineering, and brings his deep experience in academia, philanthropy, and industry to the Board. With a B.S. from Johns Hopkins and a Ph.D. from UC San Diego, Skalak has led numerous transformative research initiatives and served as Vice President for Research at UVA, where he worked to foster innovation across disciplines. Skalak was a professor of biomedical engineering with appointments in both the School of Medicine and the School of Engineering and Applied Science, a faculty affiliate of the Batten Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation in the Darden School of Business and was with the University of Virginia for more than 28 years. His son, Scott, is currently a Ph.D. student in biomedical engineering and scheduled to graduate in 2028.
Finally, Jiajun “JZ” Zhu, CEO and founder of Nuro, is a leader in artificial intelligence and autonomous vehicle technology. Prior to founding Nuro, Jiajun was a principal software engineer of Google and one of the founding team members of the company’s self-driving car project (now known as Waymo). Since earning his M.S. in Computer Science from UVA in 2007, Zhu has emerged as a key figure in the autonomous vehicle fields, pioneering solutions that are redefining the future of transportation.”
About the UVA Engineering Foundation
The UVA Engineering Foundation advances the mission of the University of Virginia’s School of Engineering and Applied Science by building resources, fostering partnerships and engaging the broader community in ways that support research, education, and innovation. Its Board of Trustees provides strategic guidance, advocacy and philanthropic support that enhance the school’s ability to shape the future of engineering. By expanding opportunities and resources, the Foundation and its board drive transformative solutions to critical societal needs, ensuring UVA Engineering continues to lead in innovation and educational excellence for the benefit of society. Celebrating its 70th anniversary, the Foundation reaffirms its commitment to advancing UVA Engineering’s impact for generations to come.