Elisabeth Smela is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Maryland.  She received a BS in physics from MIT and a PhD in electrical engineering from the University of Pennsylvania.  Previously, Dr. Smela had worked as a research scientist in Linköping, Sweden and in Risø, Denmark before becoming Vice President of Research and Development at Santa Fe Science and Technology, NM.  Dr. Smela’s research interests are currently focused on cell-based sensors.  She has served as Associate Dean for Faculty and Graduate Affairs, Equity Administrator, and Diversity Officer.  She spent a year as a Jefferson Science Fellow at the Department of State to stand up the US-ASEAN Smart Cities Network.  She has recently been working with a group of engineering faculty to better integrate sustainability concepts throughout the curriculum.