Donald Luther Birx is an American physicist and academic administrator serving as the 15th president of Plymouth State University. Prior to assuming office on July 31, 2015, Birx was an administrator at Pennsylvania State University, the University of Houston System, and the New Mexico State University.
Donald Birx | |
|---|---|
| 15th President of Plymouth State University | |
| Assumed office July 31, 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Sara Jayne Steen |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Donald Luther Birx Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Relatives | Deborah Birx (sister) |
| Academic background | |
| Education | University of California, Berkeley (BS) Miami University (MS, MBA) University of Dayton (PhD) |
| Thesis | The design of a neural network that performs a complex mapping for phase sensitive detection and characterization of eddy current impedance plane data (1990) |
| Doctoral advisor | Gary A. Thiele |
| Academic work | |
| Discipline | Physics |
| Sub-discipline | Engineering physics Artificial intelligence |
| Institutions | |
Early life and education
editBirx was born in Pennsylvania, the son of Donald Birx Sr., a mathematician and electrical engineer, and Adele Birx (née Sparks), a nursing instructor. His younger sister, Deborah Birx, is a physician and diplomat. His brother, Daniel "Danny" Birx, died in a plane crash in 2000.[1] Birx earned a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering physics from the University of California, Berkeley, a Master of Science in physics and Master of Business Administration from Miami University, and a PhD in electrical engineering and artificial intelligence from the University of Dayton.[2][3]
Career
editBirx began his career at Systems Research Laboratories, Inc., where he was a senior research scientist, principal investigator, and general manager of the intelligent systems division. He then relocated to Las Cruces, New Mexico, where he became a professor of physics and interim vice president for research at New Mexico State University.[4] Birx later worked as the vice chancellor and vice president for research of University of Houston System. Prior to his tenure at Plymouth State University, Birx was the chancellor of Penn State Erie, The Behrend College.[5]
In May 2015 trustees of the University System of New Hampshire announced that Birx had been selected to serve as the 15th president of Plymouth State University, succeeding Sara Jayne Steen. He assumed office on July 31, 2015.[6]
References
edit- ^ Rushing, Claudia Vargas, Ellie (30 March 2020). "From Pa. science fairs to coronavirus response coordinator: Deborah Birx's path to the White House". Archived from the original on 2020-03-31. Retrieved 2020-12-23.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Office of President – Plymouth State University". Retrieved 2020-12-23.
- ^ "Remarks at Swearing-in Ceremony for Ambassador-at-Large and Coordinator of the USG Activities to Combat HIV/AIDS Deborah Birx". U.S. Department of State. Retrieved 2020-12-23.
- ^ "Donald Birx Named Vice Chancellor". www.uh.edu. Retrieved 2020-12-23.
- ^ "Birx begins tenure as Penn State Behrend chancellor | Penn State University". news.psu.edu. Retrieved 2020-12-23.
- ^ "Donald Birx named next President of Plymouth State University". www.nhfrontpage.com. Retrieved 2020-12-23.