UCLA Engineering: UCLA Engineer Magazine

Letter from the Dean

One of the privileges accorded to researchers in academia is the freedom to focus our efforts on long-range research that may not bear immediate fruit. But how many people can truly say they know what the ultimate impact of their work will be on our world in five, 10 or 25 years?

Earlier this year, UCLA engineering alumnus Vinton G. Cerf and his colleague Robert Kahn received the “Nobel Prize of Computing” for their work on TCP/IP protocols in 1973, which has helped transform the way people around the world communicate today.

We are continuing this legacy of groundbreaking work as we observe the 60th anniversary of the UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science. In recent months, researchers in the School have achieved several notable firsts. Electrical engineering professor Bahram Jalali and researcher Ozdal Boyraz exploited the Raman effect to create the first successful silicon laser. And a team led by bioengineering professor Carlo Montemagno successfully grew heart muscle cells on a metal frame to power a muscle-driven microdevice with medical applications.

The contributions of our alumni and friends have played a vital role in our success since the College of Engineering opened its doors in 1945. Their support is invaluable and we owe much to their continued involvement. The School is hosting several special events this year as we celebrate our anniversary, our past and our future, including lectures in April and September and reunions in the summer. I hope you will take this opportunity to return to campus and join us in wishing the School a happy 60th birthday.

Sincerely,

Vijay K. Dhir
Dean