UChicago PME’s Institute for Materials and Sustainability Names Matthew Tirrell as Director

Fifteen years ago, noted soft materials expert Matthew Tirrell became the first employee of what would become the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering. 

This week Tirrell, the dean emeritus of UChicago PME, takes on a new leadership role as director of the Institute for Materials and Sustainability. IMS is a core focus of the school, alongside the Immunoengineering and Bioengineering Institute and the Chicago Quantum Institute. 

Tirrell takes over from Prof. Stuart Rowan, who recently stepped into the UChicago PME interim dean position. Interim Dean Rowan said Tirrell was a natural choice for the role.

“Matt brings to the role an expertise in materials science coupled with proven leadership abilities,” Rowan said. “He is a deeply valued leader across our community, and I’m excited to see the innovation and sense of community he will foster in IMS.”

As founding dean beginning in 2011, Tirrell helped build the vision of UChicago PME as a research hub organized not around traditional silos, but around finding solutions to the most pressing global challenges.

“It was my privilege to have a hand in creating this interdisciplinary community of researchers, innovators and influential thought leaders,” Tirrell said. “I am eager to work hands-on with my materials colleagues to assert UChicago PME leadership in sustainability, energy and health technologies.”

Tirrell stepped down from the dean’s role in 2023 and turned the reins of the UChicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering over to Dean Emeritus Nadya Mason, who is now Vice President for Research for the University. 

In addition to founding UChicago PME, Tirrell held leadership positions at Argonne National Laboratory, notably as deputy director for science from 2015 through 2018 and interim deputy director for science and technology in 2022 and 2023.

Prior to joining the University of Chicago in 2011, Tirrell served as the Arnold and Barbara Silverman Professor and chair of the Department of Bioengineering at the University of California, Berkeley, and as professor of materials science and engineering and chemical engineering and faculty scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Prior to that, he was dean of engineering at the University of California, Santa Barbara for 10 years. 

Tirrell began his academic career at the University of Minnesota as an assistant professor in the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering and later became head of the department.

His new appointment will take effect immediately.