SUNY Poly Names Inaugural Wolfspeed Endowed Chairs
UTICA, NY – SUNY Polytechnic Institute proudly announced the appointment of two faculty members as Wolfspeed Endowed Chairs at a press conference earlier today, marking a major milestone in the institution’s research expansion. Dr. Mohammed Jasim Uddin has been named the Dr. John Palmour SUNY Polytechnic Endowed Chair, and Dr. Bongmook Lee has been named the Dr. John Edmond SUNY Polytechnic Endowed Chair.
These prestigious three-year appointments are supported through a historic gift from Wolfspeed to establish endowed chair positions, enhancing SUNY Poly’s ability to attract and retain top research talent. While maintaining their core faculty responsibilities, endowed chairs receive a yearly research stipend that serves as discretionary research support they manage and administer. In addition to advancing their scholarly work, endowed chairs actively engage with Wolfspeed through events and annual reporting, helping to strengthen this strategic partnership.
Wolfspeed Co-Founder and Research Fellow, John Edmond said, “At Wolfspeed, we believe in the transformative power of education and its crucial role in advancing technology and innovation. I am honored to have this named endowed chair to support Dr. Lee’s research, and I know Dr. John Palmour would be honored as well to support Dr. Uddin’s research. Wolfspeed looks forward to collaborating with both Professors to advance silicon carbide technologies consistent with those being employed at our Mohawk Valley Fab. Together, we are shaping a future that will drive economic growth and improve lives across our communities.”
“Dr. Uddin and Dr. Lee represent the cutting edge of applied research in materials science and semiconductor engineering,” said Dr. Michael Carpenter, Vice President for Research at SUNY Poly. “Their leadership, innovation, and dedication to student mentorship will not only strengthen SUNY Poly’s academic and research profile but also drive important advances in technologies critical to our region and beyond.”
“The establishment of these endowed chairs demonstrates the tremendous value of public-private partnerships,” said Andrea LaGatta, SUNY Poly’s Vice President of Institutional Advancement. “Our relationship with Wolfspeed exemplifies how strategic collaborations can amplify student success, faculty innovation, and regional impact. We are incredibly proud of this shared investment in the future.”
Meet the Chairs
Dr. Bongmook Lee, Associate Professor of Engineering Technology, conducts cutting-edge research in wide- and ultra-wide bandgap semiconductor devices and wearable sensor systems. With over 100 peer-reviewed publications and significant funding from federal, state, and industry partners, Dr. Lee has made seminal contributions to next-generation power electronics, Si-CMOS/memory technologies, wearable sensors and systems, ultra-low power gas sensors, and nanoelectronics. He holds two patents and is a co-founder of Olftech, an innovative startup specializing in sensor technologies. He is a senior member of IEEE and an active contributor to the field through advisory roles and mentorship.
Dr. Mohammed Jasim Uddin, Professor of Mechanical Engineering, brings a distinguished record in materials science and engineering. With more than 90 ISI-indexed journal publications, four Unites Patents, and over $20 million in research funding, Dr. Uddin's research focuses on sustainable technologies, including semiconductor nanomaterials manufacturing, solar energy, green energy solutions, and biomedical sensors. He has mentored dozens of undergraduate and graduate students, four postdoctoral scientists, and served in leadership roles at previous institutions. His extensive editorial contributions to major journals, including Nature publications reflect his international standing in the scientific community. He was recently awarded as an Editor of Distinction with the journal of Nature Scientific Reports.