Dartmouth Engineering Leadership

Alexis R. Abramson is the 13th dean of Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth. A recognized leader in sustainable energy technology and advanced energy research, Abramson is leading Dartmouth Engineering toward national prominence in human-centered approach to engineering education, research, and entrepreneurship, and elevating the school's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Under her tenure, Thayer has continued to attract a record number of PhD and master's degree applicants, and in 2023, for the second time in Dartmouth's history, awarded more undergraduate engineering degrees to women.

Prior to joining Dartmouth, she was the Milton and Tamar Maltz Professor of Energy Innovation at Case Western Reserve University and served as a member of the mechanical and aerospace engineering faculty. From 2013 to 2018, she led CWRU's Great Lakes Energy Institute, which focuses on research aimed at creating sustainable energy technology solutions.

During the Obama administration, she served as chief scientist and manager of the Emerging Technologies Division at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Building Technologies Program, which invests in the research, development, and commercialization of energy-efficient and cost-effective building technologies. In 2018, she served as technical adviser for Breakthrough Energy Ventures, a $1 billion effort launched by Bill Gates to combat human-driven climate change.

Abramson’s research has focused on novel techniques for thermal characterization of nanostructures, the design and synthesis of unique nanomaterials for use in alternative energy applications, virtual energy audits for building energy efficiency, and strategies to accelerate technology commercialization at universities and research institutions. Abramson is also co-founder of Edifice Analytics, which provides virtual energy audits for buildings and identifies efficiency and cost-saving opportunities.

She earned her bachelor of science and master of science degrees in mechanical engineering from Tufts University and her PhD in mechanical engineering from the University of California, Berkeley.

Alexis Abramson Faculty Profile