A West Virginia University chemical engineering professor and former department chairman has been named interim dean of the College of Engineering and Mineral Resources.

Eugene Cilento assumed his new duties Wednesday (July 5) and will remain in the post for about a year while WVU conducts a national search for a permanent dean. He replaces Allen Cogley, who recently accepted an assignment as special assistant to the provost for new research initiatives.

“Ive known Dr. Cilento for a long time and was pleased when he agreed to take on this important role and provide leadership to the college for the coming academic year,”Provost Gerald Lang said.”He was highly recommended by his colleagues in the Department of Chemical Engineering and has broad college-wide support.”

Cilento said he awaits the challenges that come with his new job.

“I look forward to serving as interim dean of an important college to the University and in trying to expand our programs to meet the important needs of the state in high technology, education, training and research,”he said.

A native of New York City, Cilento has been a faculty member in the Department of Chemical Engineering since 1979 and was chairman of the department from 1988-99. He has also been a research professor in the School of Medicines Department of Anatomy since 1978.

He does research in bioengineering. His latest research focuses on understanding how proteins and other molecules are transported from the blood stream to cells with an emphasis on development of liver-assist devices and improved therapies for treatment of liver diseases.

Cilento has doctoral and masters degrees in chemical engineering from the University of Cincinnati and a bachelors degree in chemical engineering from Pratt Institute.

The College of Engineering and Mineral Resources offers 34 undergraduate and graduate degrees through seven academic departments. The college has 175 faculty members, 53 staff, 1,500 undergraduate and about 700 graduate students.