Dr. Srinivasan “Vasan” Ambatipati, an Indian American professor at the McNeese State University has been named dean of College of Engineering and Sciences, the Lake Charles, Louisiana-based university announced.
The college includes the departments of biology, chemistry and physics, engineering and computer science and mathematical sciences, along with the Harold and Pearl Dripps School of Agricultural Sciences.
Ambatipati received his doctorate degree in chemical engineering from Clarkson University in Potsdam, New York, and his master’s degree from McNeese. He joined the McNeese faculty in 2019 and became head of the department of engineering and computer science in 2022.
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“I’m incredibly excited and deeply honored. McNeese has shaped my career—from being a student here to serving as faculty, department head and now dean,” Ambatipati said.
While at McNeese, Ambatipati taught and developed several undergraduate and graduate engineering classes. As part of the liquefied natural gas certificate for undergraduates, he developed the course Fundamentals of LNG for non-engineering majors.
He has also mentored 34 senior capstone projects and received approximately $500,000 in competitive research funding.
As department head, Ambatipati led successful reaccreditations for the bachelor’s degrees in engineering and computer science and led initial accreditation for bachelor’s degrees in mechanical engineering and chemical engineering through the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology.
Additionally, the department strengthened industry partnerships, expanded the advisory board, increased experiential learning opportunities and achieved four consecutive semesters of enrollment growth in engineering.
“Most importantly, we’ve fostered a collaborative culture centered on faculty excellence, student success and meaningful engagement with industry and our community,” he said.
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Ambatipati has also served as a reviewer for journals including Energy & Fuels and Chemical Engineering Education, has organized 14 international conferences as co-chair or steering committee member and served in leadership roles in various professional and non-profit organizations.
Before coming to McNeese, Ambatipati worked as a chemical engineer in research and development and process development and commercialization.
“What I’m most looking forward to is creating more opportunities for our students and strengthening our partnerships with industry,” Ambatipati said. “I’m also excited to work alongside our outstanding faculty and staff to build on the college’s strengths, foster innovation and continue serving the workforce needs of Southwest Louisiana and beyond.”