Elaine Scott serves as the Dean of the School of Engineering at Santa Clara University, a position she assumed in August 2019, making her the first female dean in the history of the School. She also holds the John M. Sobrato Endowed Professorship. Prior to joining Santa Clara, Dr. Scott served as the founding dean of the School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) at the University of Washington in Bothell, where she led the development of innovative degree programs and faculty recruitment. Dr. Scott earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in agricultural engineering from the University of California, Davis, and doctoral degrees in mechanical engineering and agricultural engineering from Michigan State University. Her academic career spans multiple institutions including Virginia Tech, Seattle Pacific University, and the University of Washington, Bothell, where she held professorial positions in mechanical engineering. Dr. Scott's research focuses on characterizing complex thermal systems, with particular emphasis on inverse problems, parameter estimation, and optimization related to bio-systems, power electronics, and aerospace applications. Her bio-systems work ranges from modeling quality loss in frozen foods to blood perfusion estimation, while her power electronics research centers on cooling systems for embedded modules. She has published over 100 refereed technical papers and secured numerous government and industry-sponsored research projects. Her most recent publications demonstrate a continued focus on thermal management challenges across multiple domains. The research shows a progression from fundamental thermal science problems to practical applications in biomedical engineering and power electronics. Recent work has increasingly incorporated engineering education and diversity initiatives, particularly focusing on women and minority students in STEM fields. Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (2007) Academic Engineer of the Year, Puget Sound Engineering Council (2016) Distinguished Biosystems & Agricultural Engineering Alumni Award, Michigan State University (2015) Distinguished Engineering Alumni Medal for Academic Achievement, University of California Davis (2014) Women to Watch in Life Science, Life Science Innovation Northwest (2013) Virginia Tech's Philip & Sadie Sporn Award for Excellence in Teaching (2003) Virginia Tech College of Engineering Dean's Award for Excellence in Service (2002) Throughout her career, Dr. Scott has advised numerous graduate students across multiple institutions, with many going on to successful careers in academia and industry. Her research has been supported by various government agencies and industry partners, particularly in the areas of thermal characterization of complex systems. She has played a key role in establishing new academic programs, including the Virginia Tech-Wake Forest School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences and the School of STEM at the University of Washington Bothell. Dr. Scott has been instrumental in developing research teams focused on thermal systems analysis, with particular emphasis on interdisciplinary approaches that bridge engineering with biomedical applications. Her current work at Santa Clara University focuses on integrating computer science across engineering disciplines and addressing global challenges like climate change through engineering solutions.
