Milan Sonka, professor and departmental executive officer of electrical and computer engineering and director of the Iowa Institute for Biomedical Imaging, has been appointed associate dean for graduate programs and research in the University of Iowa College of Engineering, effective Jan. 15, 2014.

In his new role, Sonka will provide creative leadership to promote excellence in engineering graduate education and research. This includes achieving strategic planning goals in these areas, developing interdisciplinary research opportunities with colleagues across campus, and collaborating with engineering departmental executive officers and research center directors to foster excellence in graduate education and research.

Jon Kuhl, professor of electrical and computer engineering, will serve as interim departmental executive officer until a replacement for Sonka is named.

“Milan Sonka brings an impressive record as a productive researcher and an effective administrator to his new role," says Alec Scranton, UI College of Engineer dean.“He has authored more than 400 research publications, and has built research collaborations with colleagues from across campus. He has successfully lead large research initiatives on campus and around the world, and is a visionary and creative problem solver."

“As the departmental executive officer of electrical and computer engineering, Sonka has displayed strong leadership skills, a commitment to diversity, and the ability to successfully implement positive changes,” Scranton added.

Sonka, who joined the college in 1990 as visiting assistant professor, has served as departmental executive officer since 2008. He also holds faculty appointments in applied mathematical and computational sciences, ophthalmology and visual sciences, and radiation oncology.