Jennifer Irvin, Ph.D.
Dean of College of Science and Engineering,
College of Science and Engineering
Contact number: 281-283-3705
Email: irvinj@uhcl.edu
Office: B3611
Biography
Jennifer A. Irvin is a first-generation college graduate who serves as the dean of
the College of Science and Engineering at the University of Houston-Clear Lake. Dr.
Irvin’s research interests center around electroactive polymers, exploring their applications
in alternative energy, water purification, nerve regeneration, and disease detection.
Dr. Irvin began her career in government research, first as a postdoctoral fellow
at Sandia National Laboratories and then as a research chemist and branch head at
the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division. In 1998, Dr. Irvin transitioned to
academia as an assistant professor at Texas State University and rose through the
ranks to full professor; her teaching focused on organic chemistry, polymer chemistry,
and graduate professional development.
In addition to her teaching and research accomplishments, Dr. Irvin held several significant
leadership positions. Notably, she served as the director of the Materials Application
Research Center at Texas State University, overseeing a $3M annual budget and advancing
strategic initiatives in applied research and entrepreneurship. She also directed
the Shared Research Operations at Texas State; served as the director of the Materials
Science, Engineering, and Commercialization Program; and served as the interim executive
director of the Science, Technology, and Advanced Research Park.
Her contributions have been recognized with numerous awards, including the Formosa
Innovation Award, the Presidential Distinction Award for Excellence in Service, and
the Outstanding Mentor Award. Dr. Irvin is a member of the National Research Mentoring
Network, where she has worked to enhance the mentoring capabilities of faculty researchers.
Dr. Irvin has secured substantial grant funding from various sources, including the
National Science Foundation, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the
Department of Energy, the Department of Defense, the Petroleum Research Fund, the
Norman Hackerman Advanced Research Program, and the Research Corporation for Scientific
Advancement, as well as from private industry.
Dr. Irvin earned her Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Florida and holds both
an M.S. and a B.S. in Chemistry from Texas State University. She became Dean of the
College of Science and Engineering at the University of Houston-Clear Lake on August
1, 2024.