Dr. Jane (Xan) Alexander Appointed as Vice President of Research and Technology Initiatives

Polytechnic University is pleased to announce that Dr. Jane A. (Xan) Alexander, a leader in executing innovative research and development programs for the federal government, has joined Poly as Vice President of Research and Technology Initiatives. Jane spent nearly two decades with the federal government, most recently as Deputy Director of the Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects Agency, developing and managing research and development programs in a variety of technical areas.

Working with the faculty and the University's Cabinet, Dr. Alexander will increase funding for research, strategically implement new research initiatives and facilitate relationships among the faculty and students and industry. Her national reputation in the research and development field will draw additional world class faculty to the University and allow students, both graduate and undergraduate, to partake in cutting-edge science and technology research.

Dr. Alexander's strong research background stems from the research she herself has conducted in the past and as Deputy Director of the Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects Agency, Executive Director for Science and Technology at the Department of the Navy's Office of Naval Research and as Deputy Director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).

Dr. Alexander holds a Ph.D. in Physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She received her BS in Physics from Stanford University. Among her awards are the Arthur S. Flemming Award honoring the top ten Federal employees under 40 years of age, the Secretary of Defense Medal for Outstanding Public Service and the Department of Defense distinguished Medal for Civilian Service.