CES Spring Newsletter 2025
Get to know the leadership of PNW’s College of Engineering and Sciences.
Meet the Leaders
Chair of Biological Sciences
Curtis Creighton is the chair of the Department of Biological Sciences and a professor of Biological Sciences. His research areas are behavioral ecology and conservation biology and his current research projects include the effects of parental care on immune priming of offspring, the role of the microbiome on reproduction and the identification of critical food resources of endangered species using stable isotope analysis.
As the chair of Biological Sciences, Professor Creighton leads a dynamic department that excels in teaching and research as well as providing unique learning opportunities for students.
Chair of Computer Science
Grace Yang is chair of the Department of Computer Science. She joined the faculty as an assistant professor of computer science in 2009. Her research areas include wireless communication, mobile computing, wireless security and privacy and smart infrastructure applications. She leads initiatives to advance computing education, research and interdisciplinary partnerships, and enhance student opportunities in areas such as artificial intelligence, software engineering, data science and quantum computing.
She is committed to workforce development and bridging the gap between academia and industry to prepare students for the evolving tech landscape.
Chair of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Lizhe Tan is the chair and professor of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. He joined Purdue University Northwest in 2008. His research areas cover digital and adaptive signal processing, machine learning applications, fractional-order control systems, robotics, and computer vision. He is a co-author of the recent textbook: Digital Signal Processing: Fundamentals, Applications, and Deep Learning (2025, Elsevier).
He has five years of industrial experience working as a senior software engineer and a principal engineer. As the department chair, he leads, supports, and oversees departmental efforts for growth, including students’ success, faculty excellence and program improvement. He is a senior member of IEEE.
Chair of Mathematics and Statistics
Nicoleta Tarfulea is the chair of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, joining the faculty in 2006 as an assistant professor. Her research focuses on mathematical biology, partial differential equations, and computational mathematics, analyzing biological processes from molecular systems to population biology. She emphasizes the complexity of teaching and learning, involving students in extracurricular activities like competitions and research.
In her leadership roles, she supports and oversees efforts to create a productive academic environment, taking pride in the achievements of both students and colleagues.
Chair of Chemistry and Physics
Adam Rengstorf is chair of the Department of Chemistry and Physics. He joined the faculty as an assistant professor of physics and astronomy in 2005. He is an astronomer by training and is also the director of PNW’s Northwest Indiana Robotic (NIRo) Observatory.
Ever since his Ph.D. thesis on variable quasars, he has been interested in things that change in brightness or position, or both, in the night sky. Recent observing campaigns at NIRo have included monitoring near-Earth asteroids, determining the rotation rate of main-belt asteroids and monitoring eclipsing binary star systems, especially those with changing orbital periods.
Chair of Mechanical and Civil Engineering
Chandramouli Viswanathan Chandramouli, Ph.D., PE, is the chair of the Department of Mechanical and Civil Engineering. He joined Purdue University Northwest in 2008 to establish the civil engineering program. His research focus is on watershed water quality modeling, climate change trends and their influences on flooding and drought, as well as artificial intelligence applications in water resources system analysis
His most recent research with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) is about developing an artificial neural network-based nowcast model for predicting E. coli classes for Lake Michigan beach closures. He is a registered Professional Engineer with 10 years of field experience.
Associate Dean
Vanessa Quinn, Ph.D., serves as the Associate Dean for the College of Engineering and Sciences and as a Professor of Biological Sciences. Her academic expertise spans Animal Behavior, Ecology, Herpetology and Data Analysis.
She is passionate about making higher education accessible for all students. She leads a transformative travel study course for undergraduates, often described by participants as “life-changing.” Beyond the classroom, she champions STEM outreach initiatives that showcase the excitement and hands-on learning opportunities integral to higher education.
Dean
Bruce Berdanier is Dean of the College of Engineering and Sciences and Acting Director of the School of Engineering. He worked as a consulting engineer and surveyor registered in Ohio and South Dakota for over 25 years.
He has worked in higher education since 1996 and has been in administrative roles in engineering and science since 2008.