Jennifer A. Irvin is a first-generation college graduate who serves as the dean of the College of Science and Engineering at the University of Houston-Clear Lake. Dr. Irvin’s research interests center around electroactive polymers, exploring their applications in alternative energy, water purification, nerve regeneration, and disease detection.
Dr. Irvin began her career in government research, first as a postdoctoral fellow at Sandia National Laboratories and then as a research chemist and branch head at the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division. In 1998, Dr. Irvin transitioned to academia as an assistant professor at Texas State University and rose through the ranks to full professor; her teaching focused on organic chemistry, polymer chemistry, and graduate professional development.
In addition to her teaching and research accomplishments, Dr. Irvin held several significant leadership positions. Notably, she served as the director of the Materials Application Research Center at Texas State University, overseeing a $3M annual budget and advancing strategic initiatives in applied research and entrepreneurship. She also directed the Shared Research Operations at Texas State; served as the director of the Materials Science, Engineering, and Commercialization Program; and served as the interim executive director of the Science, Technology, and Advanced Research Park.
Her contributions have been recognized with numerous awards, including the Formosa Innovation Award, the Presidential Distinction Award for Excellence in Service, and the Outstanding Mentor Award. Dr. Irvin is a member of the National Research Mentoring Network, where she has worked to enhance the mentoring capabilities of faculty researchers.
Dr. Irvin has secured substantial grant funding from various sources, including the National Science Foundation, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Department of Energy, the Department of Defense, the Petroleum Research Fund, the Norman Hackerman Advanced Research Program, and the Research Corporation for Scientific Advancement, as well as from private industry.
Dr. Irvin earned her Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Florida and holds both an M.S. and a B.S. in Chemistry from Texas State University. She became Dean of the College of Science and Engineering at the University of Houston-Clear Lake on August 1, 2024.