About

Rob Griffin was appointed Dean of the College of Engineering in 2025. Prior appointments include Dean of the School of Engineering, Computing, and Construction Management at Roger Williams University and Professor, Department Chair, Senior Associate Dean, and Interim Dean in the George R. Brown School of Engineering at Rice University, where he also served as the Faculty Athletic Representative to the NCAA. His research, which has been sponsored by NSF, DOE, NIEHS, EPA, and other agencies, focuses on the chemical and physical processes that control the spatial and temporal distribution of air pollution. He has published over 125 manuscripts in high-impact, peer-reviewed journals in this field. He also is an award-winning teacher and a member of the Executive Committee of the American Association for Aerosol Research. Dr. Griffin received degrees in Chemical Engineering from Tufts University (BS) and the California Institute of Technology (MS, PhD).

Honors

George R. Brown Award for Superior Teaching
Rice University (United States, Houston), Spring 2020; Spring 2015
Excellence in Teaching Award, George R. Brown School of Engineering
Rice University (United States, Houston), Spring 2020
Teaching and Research Excellence Award, George R. Brown School of Engineering
Rice University (United States, Houston), Spring 2019
Notable Paper Recognition
Aerosol Science and Technology, 2018
Advisor to student Fangzhou Guo, Best Student Paper Award
American Meteorological Society (United States, Boston) - AMS, 2018
NASA Group Achievement Award, Discover-AQ Science Team
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (United States, Washington) - NASA, Spring 2015
Faculty Fellowship
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (United States, Boulder) - UCAR, 2007
Career Award Recipient,
U.S. National Science Foundation (United States, Alexandria) - NSF, 2002
Early Career Scientist Award
Biogenic Hydrocarbon Gordon Research Conference, 2000

Organizational Affiliations

Dean, College of Engineering, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

Past Affiliations

Dean of the School of Engineering, Computing and Construction Management, Roger Williams University (United States, Bristol) - RWU

Residential College Magister, Hanszen College, Rice University (United States, Houston)

Senior Associate Dean, Rice University (United States, Houston)

Department Chair, Rice University (United States, Houston)

Faculty Athletics Representative to the NCAA, Rice University (United States, Houston)

Hanszen College, Residential College Magister, Rice University (United States, Houston)

Professor, Rice University (United States, Houston)

Visiting Scientist, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (United States, Houston)

Associate Professor, University of New Hampshire (United States, Durham) - UNH

Assistant Professor, Duke University (United States, Durham)

Research Associate, Arthur D. Little (United States) (United States, Boston)

Education

Chemical Engineering
2000, Doctor of Philosophy, California Institute of Technology (United States, Pasadena) - CIT
Chemical Engineering with Minor in Environmental Engineering Science
1997, Master of Science, California Institute of Technology (United States, Pasadena) - CIT
Chemical Engineering
1993, Bachelor of Science (BS), Tufts University (United States, Medford)