Lee Keel

Lee Keel is a Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Tennessee State University's College of Engineering, where he has been faculty since 1986. He also serves as an Adjunct Professor in Vanderbilt University's Mechanical Engineering Department since 1991 and previously directed Tennessee State's Center for Systems Science Research from 1997-2007.

Dr. Keel earned his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Texas A&M University in 1986, following an M.S. from the same institution in 1982 and a B.S. in Electronics Engineering from Korea University in 1978. His academic journey began with engineering experience at LG Telecommunications R&D in Korea before transitioning to academia.

His research expertise spans Linear Systems Theory, Robust Control, and Networked Control Systems, with recent focus on developing data-based control design techniques that eliminate reliance on analytical models. His work has been continuously funded by NSF, NASA centers (Ames, Langley, Goddard, Marshall), DoD, and industry partners including Boeing, with over $20 million in research grants throughout his career.

Analysis of his publication record shows consistent contributions to robust control theory, particularly in interval systems stability, parametric robustness, and measurement-based controller design. His recent work increasingly addresses cyber-physical security applications for power grids and multi-agent systems.

• Full Academic Scholarship, Gold-Star Yonam Foundation (1971-1972, 1976-78)
• Eta Kappa Nu
• Phi Kappa Phi
• Distinguished Researcher Award, Tennessee State University (1996)

Professor Keel has supervised numerous graduate students through thesis research and has served in leadership roles for major conferences including as Publication Chair for multiple American Control Conferences. His research group maintains strong connections with NASA laboratories and defense contractors, providing students with opportunities to work on problems with real-world impact in aerospace and critical infrastructure domains.