Profile

Theresa S. Mayer is the vice president for research at Carnegie Mellon University, supporting the research, creativity and entrepreneurship that drives its mission and working with partners across the public and private sectors to bring the benefits of this work to all of society.

She previously served as executive vice president for research and partnerships at Purdue University, where she oversaw the $670 million research enterprise of the university and supported holistic engagements with federal, industry, and global strategic partners. 

Prior to this role, she was the vice president for research and innovation at Virginia Tech. During her 23-years at Penn State University, she served as the associate dean for research and innovation in engineering, the site director of the NSF National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network, and a distinguished professor of electrical engineering and materials science.  She is widely recognized for her work in advanced manufacturing of nanoscale electronic, optical, and biomedical devices, which has been supported by the DoD, NSF, DOE, NIH, and industry. Theresa has over 200 technical publications, invited presentations and tutorials, and holds ten patents in these areas. Several of her inventions have been transitioned into commercial and military systems.  She is actively engaged in service to her profession and the nation, including past service on the U.S. President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, PCAST.  Theresa earned a bachelor’s degree. in electrical engineering from Virginia Tech, and master’s and doctorate degrees in electrical engineering from Purdue University.