The Institute for a Secure and Sustainable Environment (ISSE) has a new leader. Chris Cox was named director of ISSE, effective Monday, October 17. Cox is also professor and associate head in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
Cox has been on the UT Knoxville faculty since 1991. His research areas include bioenergy production, mathematical modeling of metabolic and genetic regulatory systems, and modeling of engineered pollution control and remediation systems. A registered professional engineer, Cox received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from University of Missouri, Columbia. He received his PhD from Pennsylvania State University.
“I am pleased that Chris is willing to take on this important responsibility,” said Wes Hines, interim vice chancellor for research and engagement. “Chris is a proven researcher and administrator. He has been an invaluable asset to Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and has the ideal background to provide leadership to ISSE.”
ISSE’s mission is to promote the development of policies, technologies, and educational programs that cut across multiple disciplines, engage the university’s research faculty and staff, and grow in response to environmental issues facing the state, the nation, and the globe.
Cox succeeds Randy Gentry, who will continue collaborating with ISSE and has returned to the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering as an associate professor.