Pinto has been UC’s vice provost and graduate school dean since 2006 after serving in its College of Engineering in various posts including assistant dean for graduate studies, chemical engineering department chair and chemical engineering professor. He joined the UC faculty in 1985.
He has a doctorate and master’s degree in chemical engineering from The Pennsylvania State University and an undergraduate degree in chemical engineering from Indian Institute of Technology in New Delhi. Last year Pinto was elected to the National Academy of Inventors, and he has received numerous teaching awards. He is a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, American Society for Engineering Education and Tau Beta Pi engineering honor society.
“I see this really as a privilege and a tremendous opportunity,” Pinto said. He said he was impressed by the commitment of the faculty, staff, students and advisory board members at Speed School and by university leadership when he visited UofL. He is scheduled to start as dean Sept. 1.
“Dean Pinto was the unanimous choice of the committees and individuals who met him,” said Shirley Willihnganz, UofL executive vice president and university provost. “With his successful experience in academic and administrative positions, we are confident he will lead our renowned engineering program to even greater prominence.”
Pinto succeeds Mickey Wilhelm, who announced last year he would step down from the post he has had since 2004 to return to the industrial engineering faculty, which he joined in 1975.