Jinke Tang, a professor in the University of Wyoming's Department of Physics and Astronomy, has been named director of the UW Science Institute.

Tang has served as department head for the past eight years and has been a faculty member at UW for 18 years. He currently serves on the U.S. Department of Energy's Basic Energy Sciences Advisory Committee. As Science Institute director, Tang will oversee the institute's strategic direction, manage resources, and lead externally funded initiatives that promote collaboration across science and engineering disciplines.

"Jinke brings a strong interdisciplinary background and a deep commitment to scientific advancement," says Parag Chitnis, UW's vice president for research and economic development. "His leadership will help the Science Institute continue to foster impactful research and educational and engagement programs that benefit the state and elevate UW's national and global profile."

"I'm excited to take on this role and work with colleagues across campus to support innovative research and transformative education," Tang says. "The Science Institute is a powerful platform for collaboration, and I look forward to building on its success."

Additionally, the Center for Controlled Environment Agriculture (C-CEA) -- a cornerstone of the Science Institute -- also welcomes new leadership. Building on the foundation established in 2023 through Wyoming's Top-Tier Science Initiative and Tier-1 Engineering Initiative, the C-CEA is poised to expand its reach in plant science, sustainable agriculture and workforce development.

Carmela Rosaria Guadagno, an associate research scientist and current director of the UW Plant Growth and Phenotyping Facility, has been appointed director of C-CEA. She will be joined by Yaqoob Majeed, an assistant professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, who will serve as assistant director.

Together, Guadagno and Majeed will lead efforts to advance sustainable agricultural technologies through research in plant-environment interactions, climate-controlled systems and innovative crop production methods. Their leadership also will focus on fostering industry collaboration, interdisciplinary research projects and student training opportunities. The center will provide resources, such as seed grants and fellowships, to support innovation and research in controlled environment agriculture.

"Carmela and Yaqoob bring complementary expertise and a shared vision for the future of agriculture in Wyoming," Tang says. "Their leadership will be instrumental in expanding the center's impact and fostering new opportunities for research and education."

Looking ahead, securing long-term funding from federal, industry and philanthropic sources will be a top priority for the center, ensuring its sustainability and positioning Wyoming as a national leader in this dynamic and rapidly evolving field.