Liesl Folks

Dr. Liesl Folks is a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Arizona and currently serves as Vice President for Semiconductor Strategy. From 2019 to 2023, she held the role of Provost, driving significant growth in student enrollment, research activity, and faculty diversity.

• Education: BSc (Hons) and PhD in Physics (University of Western Australia), MBA (Cornell)
• Past roles: Dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences at the University at Buffalo; 16 years in R&D for the data storage industry (IBM, Hitachi, Western Digital)

Her research focuses on magnetic materials and devices, nanoscale metrology, and spin-electronic devices, with key contributions to semiconductor and data storage technologies. She holds 12 U.S. patents and over 60 peer-reviewed publications.

Dr. Folks has been recognized with the

• IEEE Magnetics Society Distinguished Service Award (2024)
• Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors

She champions diversity in STEM, co-authored the ASEE Deans Diversity Statement (endorsed by President Obama in 2015), and leads initiatives for interdisciplinary research and experiential learning.