Lesa Brown, PhD, research engineer, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Brown played a critical leadership role in the development of the Materials Durability and Environmental Research Facilities Hub, a core research and instrumentation facility. She is responsible for a major upgrade to the environmental scanning electron microscope and recent selection and procurement of a specialized optical microscope with artificial intelligence enhanced image processing. As a result, Brown is responsible for the smooth operation of cutting-edge instrumentation valued at several million dollars. Through her efforts, the MDERFH has become a highly valued resource for CEE and the wider research community. Brown plays a major role in the development of multiple research proposals, including multi-university proposals and collaborations with national laboratories. She also has co-authored two papers (in press 2023) in top quartile peer-reviewed journals, two peer-reviewed conference proceedings and two journal manuscripts currently in review. “Beyond her technical skills, Lesa is a gifted teacher. She assists faculty in courses with laboratory components, provides students with hands-on experience, and the students have praised her ability for explaining complex concepts in an easy-to-understand manner,” said David Kosson, Gass Family Chair in Energy and the Environment and Distinguished Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering.