Martin-Vega receives leadership award

Dr. Louis A. Martin-Vega, dean of the College of Engineering at North Carolina State University, has received the Industrial and Systems Engineering Alumni Leadership Award from the University of Florida.

The award recognizes industrial and systems engineering graduates who have achieved a distinguished record of leadership and demonstrated outstanding service in their profession. Martin-Vega holds two degrees from the University of Florida; he received his master’s in systems engineering in 1973 and his Ph.D. in industrial and systems engineering in 1975.

Martin-Vega arrived at NC State in 2006 and has helped cement the College’s national and international reputation as a leading public engineering school. Under his leadership, the College has attracted more research funding, risen in national rankings and continued to build a diverse and talented group of faculty and students. In 2008, the National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded NC State an Engineering Research Center grant, one of the largest and most coveted awards made by the federal agency.

Martin-Vega came to NC State from the University of South Florida, where he was dean of engineering from 2001 to 2006. He previously served as acting head of the Engineering Directorate at NSF, overseeing a $440 million budget supporting research and education programs. He has also held faculty and administrative positions at Florida, Lehigh University, the Florida Institute of Technology and the University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez. His research and teaching interests include manufacturing systems, logistics and distribution, operations management, and production and service systems.

Among his numerous awards are the Albert Holtzman Distinguished Educator Award from Institute of Industrial Engineers, the 2007 National Hispanic Scientist of the Year award from the Museum of Science & Industry, and selection as one of Hispanic Business magazine’s 100 Most Influential Hispanics in the nation for 2007. He was named the Outstanding Engineer in North Carolina for 2008 by the North Carolina Society of Engineers. He has authored or co-authored several manuscripts, book chapters and book reviews, as well as more than 100 scientific and technical publications. Martin-Vega, a native of New York, received his bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from the University of Puerto Rico in 1969. In addition to his graduate degrees from Florida, he earned a master’s degree in operations research from New York University in 1971.