Richard B. BrownView profile
Professor
Richard B. Brown is the Dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Utah, a position he has held since 2004. Under his leadership, the College has experienced remarkable growth, with research expenditures increasing from $30 million to $97 million annually and student enrollment more than doubling to over 6,000 students. Brown is also a distinguished professor whose research has significantly advanced miniature technology and sensor development. Dr. Brown earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in electrical engineering from Brigham Young University in 1976, followed by a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from the University of Utah in 1985. After 19 years as a faculty member at the University of Michigan, he returned to Utah as Dean of Engineering. His academic journey reflects a deep commitment to both research excellence and educational innovation. Dr. Brown's research focuses on miniature technology, particularly solid-state chemical sensors and integrated circuits. His pioneering work includes developing miniature ion-selective electrodes, enzymatically- and immunologically-coupled sensors for complex biological molecules, and amperometric sensors for heavy metals and neurochemicals. His research group was first to incorporate both electrical and chemical sensors on silicon brain probes and first to differentiate spoken words from microelectrode arrays on human brains. His work spans high-speed microprocessors to low-power, implantable electronics, with significant commercial applications through multiple startups. Dr. Brown has authored 225 peer-reviewed publications, including one cited over 3,400 times, and holds 21 patents. His research has led to four successful companies: i-SENS (glucose sensors), Sensicore (chemical sensors), Mobius Microsystems (silicon clock generators), and e-SENS (water chemistry sensors). Industry applications include 1.7 million glucometers and 1.4 billion test strips sold annually. Life Fellow of the IEEE Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors Utah Governor's Medal for Excellence in Science and Technology University of Utah's Rosenblatt Prize (2018) Inaugural holder of the H.E. Thomas Presidential Endowed Dean's Chair (2020) As an educator, Dr. Brown has mentored 31 PhD students who have become leaders in their fields. His innovative integrated circuit design curriculum has transformed how this subject is taught worldwide. Under his leadership, diversity in the College has significantly increased, with women students growing from 10% to 20% and Students of Color from 20% to 34% of the student body, with retention rates for these groups exceeding those of their counterparts. His work with industry through departmental advisory boards has led to programs addressing workforce needs, including the Master of Software Development and systems engineering certificate. Dr. Brown has established strong industry connections through industrial advisory boards at both departmental and college levels. This engagement has resulted in programs tailored to industry needs, including a robust electrical power program, the Master of Software Development for career changers, and a systems engineering certificate developed in response to requests from companies like Northrop Grumman, which has 155 current openings for systems engineers. During the pandemic, he led the College in pivoting research to address COVID-19, with over a dozen faculty members focusing on detection, transmission, and prevention.
