Dr. Kevin Walsh, Ph.D.

Interim Dean of Engineering

Interim Dean Dr. Kevin Walsh

Dr. Kevin M. Walsh was appointed Interim Dean of the University of Louisville’s J.B. Speed School of Engineering in January 2026 after serving for a decade as Associate Dean for Research, Graduate Studies, and Facilities. He is also the Samuel T. Fife Endowed Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and founding director of the university’s Micro/NanoTechnology Center (MNTC), a member of the National Science Foundation’s National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure (NNCI) network.

During his tenure as associate dean, Walsh helped lead a period of significant growth at the Speed School, with annual externally funded research increasing from $7.5 million to a record $20 million and graduate enrollment growing from 500 to more than 850 students. He also oversaw major facilities initiatives, including the planning and construction of the school’s new $90 million, 114,000-square-foot Engineering Student Success and Research Building (ESSRB).

An internationally recognized researcher and inventor, Walsh has authored more than 150 technical publications in micro- and nanotechnology, sensing technologies, semiconductors, microelectronics, and MEMS. His research program has secured more than $35 million in external funding from the National Science Foundation, Department of Defense, Department of Energy, NASA, NIH, and industry partners. He holds 12 awarded patents and is co-founder of four technology startup companies.

Walsh was the first researcher in Speed School history to receive both a National Science Foundation Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) award and an NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Site award. In 2019, he founded the Nano+Additive Manufacturing Convergence Summit, which attracts researchers, industry leaders, and government representatives from across the nation.

In 2014, Walsh became the first person in University of Louisville history inducted into the National Academy of Inventors. He is also a member of the University of Louisville Athletic Hall of Fame and the Kentucky Tennis Hall of Fame.

As Interim Dean, Walsh is focused on enhancing the Speed School’s national reputation as one of the nation’s premier cooperative engineering programs, expanding student success, strengthening industry partnerships, growing enrollment, advancing research and innovation, and maintaining world-class educational and research facilities.