VCU College of Engineering welcomes new associate dean for research and innovation, Susan Barker, Ph.D.
With more than 20 years of research leadership experience, Barker will continue growing VCU Engineering’s research and innovation portfolio while supporting faculty and students
Susan Barker, Ph.D., a research leader with wide-ranging academic, corporate and government expertise, will join the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) College of Engineering as its new associate dean for research and innovation.
“With Dr. Barker’s exceptional background in building high-impact partnerships and managing the framework that drives innovative research, the VCU College of Engineering is poised for significant advancement,” said Azim Eskandarian, D.Sc., the Alice T. and William H. Goodwin Jr. Dean of the VCU College of Engineering. “Her proven ability to lead cross-functional teams, secure substantial funding and foster interdisciplinary collaboration will elevate our research initiatives and empower both faculty and students. Dr. Barker’s leadership will undoubtedly strengthen our tradition of groundbreaking discovery and position VCU Engineering at the forefront of innovation.”
Barker recently served as chief of staff and senior director of strategic initiatives for Codetta Bio. As one of the company’s first employees, she provided executive leadership in a cross-functional role spanning technical, personnel and operational management. Barker managed non-dilutive funding and grew key partnerships with research collaborators and other stakeholders.
At the University of Virginia (UVA) School of Engineering & Applied Science Barker served as associate dean for research and director of research development. An 89 percent growth of the research portfolio marked her tenure at UVA Engineering, increasing from $44 million in 2016 to $83 million in 2020. She also initiated a corporate partner program, spearheaded research development efforts and facilitated strategic initiatives and new center formation.
“I look forward to advancing the already established research at the VCU College of Engineering,” said Barker. “I also want to identify new opportunities, developing partnerships with industry and other institutions. Collaboration drives research and innovation, so building and strengthening those relationships creates the best environment for faculty and students to flourish.”
Complementing her corporate and academic expertise, Barker spent over a decade supporting Department of Defense funding agencies, working as a technical consultant for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA). Her work included actively managing research portfolios totaling $50 to $70 million per year. The program areas included chemical and biological analysis, diagnostics, and micro/nano-scale devices.
Barker earned her Ph.D. in analytical chemistry from the University of Michigan and her B.S. in chemistry from the College of William and Mary.
The VCU College of Engineering offers innovative undergraduate and graduate degree programs tailored to meet the demands of the rapidly evolving engineering field. As part of a premier research university, students are given the opportunity to perform real-world research in our state-of-the-art facilities as soon as they enroll. Browse videos and recent news to discover how the College of Engineering at Virginia Commonwealth University prepares the next generation of scientists and engineers for the challenges of the future.
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