Sherra E. Kerns, Ph.D
F. W. Olin Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Vice President for Innovation and Research
781-292-2370
sherra.kerns@olin.edu
Dr. Sherra E. Kerns is a member of the leadership team at the Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering. She is also Visiting Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at M.I.T. Dr. Kerns served on the faculty of Vanderbilt University from 1987-1999, chaired its Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering from 1993-1998, and directed the multi-institutional, multi-disciplinary University Consortium for Research on Electronic in Space from 1989-1999. Previously, she served on the faculties of North Carolina State University and Auburn University.
Dr. Kerns has published over 100 technical journal papers. Her technical work has centered on microelectronic circuits, including several original contributions to enhance information integrity in digital microelectronics, particularly for space applications. She has over 20 years of professional experience in the design and simulation of electronics for space and other environments hostile to standard chips and circuits. Her research focuses on the fundamental limits of information processing and information integrity. Most recently, Professor Kern's research has emphasized creating an all-silicon optical interconnect technology and designing improved microelectromechanical accelerometers and rate sensors.
Dr. Kerns holds an A.B. degree from Mount Holyoke College, an M.A. from the University of Wisconsin, and a Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina, all in physics.
Throughout her career, Dr. Kerns has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to engineering education. She is an award-winning undergraduate teacher, author of an undergraduate textbook, and is presently co-developing an innovative course on Information and Entropy with colleagues at M.I.T. She has been the president of the National Electrical Engineering Department Heads Association, Division Chair and Member of the Board of the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE). She is very involved in engineering accreditation, serving as an accreditation evaluator and evaluation team leader for Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), as a member of the ABET Engineering Accreditation Commission and the IEEE Committee on Engineering Accreditation Activities. She chairs the Accreditation Issues Committee for the National Electrical Engineering Department Heads Association. Dr. Kerns has served the University Advisory Board of the Semiconductor Research Corporation and the Naval Studies Board of the National Research Council. She has served on program and steering committees for international technical conferences including IEDM, NSREC, ECS, ASEE, and FIE.
Dr. Kerns is a Fellow of the IEEE. Her work in both technical and educational areas has been recognized by local, national and international awards, including three for research excellence and three for teaching excellence. In addition, she is the recipient of the 1999 Harriet B. Rigas Outstanding Woman Engineering Educator Award and the 2000 American Society for Engineering Education ECE Distinguished Educator Award.