Professor Ekaterina Pavlovskaia has been appointed as the next Head of School of Engineering.
She will assume the role on 1 October 2021, taking over from Professor Igor Guz who will by then have served two full terms as Head of School since 1 October 2013.
Professor Pavlovskaia obtained a PhD in Applied Physics and Mathematics from the Russian Academy of Science. She then held an academic position at St Petersburg State University and had a short research spell at Ford Research Laboratory in the US, before joining the University of Aberdeen as a Research Fellow in 2000.
Professor Pavlovskaia is currently a Personal Chair in the School of Engineering and becomes the University’s first female Head of Engineering.
In addition to her current role, she was Dean of PGT Studies for three years until the end of 2019 and has been an academic line manager for the last three years.
Professor Pavlovskaia’s research expertise is in nonlinear dynamics which she applies to investigate behaviour of engineering systems in the areas of rotordynamics and riser mechanics and to develop new drilling technologies. She is a Chartered Engineer and Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
Welcoming her appointment, Professor Pavlovskaia said: “I feel privileged and honoured to be given an opportunity to lead the School of Engineering. Our School has made very significant progress in the last few years under Professor Guz’s leadership and I believe it is important that we continue on this upward trajectory by delivering excellent teaching and outstanding student experience to our UG, PGT and PGR students and conducting high quality research both in fundamental and applied areas.
“I look forward to continue working with talented colleagues in Engineering on implementation of the University of Aberdeen 2040 Strategy ensuring that the School offers a supportive environment for staff and students where people feel appreciated, empowered and supported, and are able to develop and progress in their chosen career.”
Senior Vice-Principal, Professor Karl Leydecker, added: "I know you will join me in congratulating Professor Pavlovskaia on her appointment and I look forward to working closely with her as her vision for the School develops.
"I’d also like to extend my thanks and best wishes to Professor Guz who has excelled during his time as Head of School. Congratulations also go to Professor Guz on his recent appointment as Director of the Northern Research Partnership in Engineering (NRPe), a collaboration between the University of Aberdeen, Dundee University, and RGU."