Flanagan picked to lead research at Rutgers University

Flanagan, an internationally respected expert in voice communications and computer techniques, also will continue to direct the university's Center for Computer Aids for Industrial Productivity.

Flanagan joined the Rutgers faculty in 1990 after a long and distinguished career at Bell Labs.

As director of the Computer Aids center, he oversees a diverse group of university scientists investigating topics ranging from virtual reality to massive parallel computer systems. Since Flanagan joined the center, researchers there have increased external contract support by more than 300 percent and enhanced corporate sponsorship by more than 50 percent.

In his new position, the Mississippi native will direct the university's $130 million-a-year research program. Rutgers' president, Francis Lawrence, has further charged Flanagan with “embracing teaching as an integral part of the science program.”

Flanagan said that he is “immensely complimented” by the appointment, and excited about the challenge.

"Research is creating new knowledge and as we do this, we have the immediate opportunity to factor that knowledge into our instructional program for undergraduate and graduate education," he said. "We can give our students a knowledge advantage as they go out to careers in industry."

In addition to his bachelor's degree from Mississippi State, he holds master's and doctoral degrees in electrical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.