Kathrin Engisch named interim dean of the College of Science and Mathematics at Wright State

Kathrin Engisch, interim dean of the College of Science and Mathematics.

Kathrin Engisch has been named interim dean of the Wright State University College of Science and Mathematics (CoSM), replacing Douglas Leaman, who is serving as interim provost.

Engisch is an associate professor of neuroscience, cell biology and physiology and previously served as associate dean from 2012 to 2015 and interim dean of the college from 2015 to 2016.

“The purpose of Wright State and CoSM is to educate students and to create new knowledge through our research mission,” Engisch said. “The two work together, as we use classroom and experiential learning to teach students how to think critically and solve novel problems in their discipline, and to understand where knowledge comes from, and how we must be ready to modify our ideas as new information is uncovered.”

In her roles within the college, she has focused on research in science and math education, teaching innovation and enhancing faculty development and mentoring. Engisch was instrumental in developing the B.S. in Neuroscience, which began admitting students in 2017. In addition, she has been a key contributor to a National Institutes of Health-funded Program Project Grant on Neural Injury and Repair, for which she served as one of five principal investigators.

Engisch obtained a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the Johns Hopkins University and her Ph.D. in neural science from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

She is a member of the Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology and Physiology’s Neuro Lab, a pioneering program offering advanced high school students an interactive experience into the workings of the nervous system. Students conduct experiments involving prosthetics, reflexes and muscle fatigue.

In addition, Engisch has been deeply involved in the Women in Science Giving Circle, an organized effort to enhance the educational and professional success of female students and faculty members in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medical disciplines at Wright State. Each year the circle awards faculty grants of $5,000 and student scholarships of $1,500 for research activities in everything from neuroscience to cell biology to psychology.

Engisch was selected to attend the 2014 HERS Summer Institute for Women in Higher Education Administration, the premier residential professional development program dedicated to advancing women leaders in higher education administration.