Harpreet S. Dhillon, the W. Martin Johnson Professor of Engineering and associate director of Wireless@Virginia Tech, has been appointed associate dean for research and innovation in the College of Engineering. Dhillon began on Dec. 25, 2024.

"We are excited to have Harpreet support our research efforts as associate dean of research and innovation for the College of Engineering," said Julie Ross, the Paul and Dorothea Torgersen Dean of Engineering. "He brings a wealth of experience as a research leader and former interim department head. His strong interest in growing transdisciplinary research combined with his technical expertise make him well positioned to lead the implementation of our strategic goals.”

Dhillon, who recently served as the interim department head for the Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, has been a member of the Virginia Tech faculty since 2014. He is an internationally recognized expert in wireless communications with seminal contributions to analyzing large-scale wireless systems using stochastic geometry, particularly in heterogeneous cellular networks. Recent examples include localization, vehicular networks, cyber-physical systems, and reconfigurable intelligent surfaces, which have extended the reach of these mathematical tools.

His contributions have not only advanced wireless communication theory but also shaped real-world applications, from improving network efficiency to enabling smarter connectivity solutions. He has contributed to bridging the gap between theoretical models and practical deployment, helping translate mathematical insights into more effective engineering solutions.

“Over the years, my research and leadership roles at Virginia Tech have expanded beyond my own discipline, drawing me into larger conversations about research strategy, collaboration, and innovation,” Dhillon said. “This role offers the opportunity to take those experiences and scale them across the College of Engineering — helping faculty navigate large-scale funding opportunities, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations, and strengthening Virginia Tech’s research ecosystem.”

An Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) fellow, Dhillon has received numerous awards from IEEE, including the Leonard G. Abraham Award, the Heinrich Hertz Award, and the Katherine Johnson Young Author Best Paper Award. In addition, Dhillon has received early technical achievement awards from three IEEE Communications Society technical committees for his research contributions to wireless and radio communications, stochastic geometry, and heterogeneous cellular networks. 

The College of Engineering has also recognized Dhillon as a Dean’s Fellow and the recipient of:

  • Dean's Award for Excellence in Research
  • Turner Faculty Fellowship
  • College of Engineering Faculty Fellowship
  • Steven O. Lane Junior Faculty Fellowship
  • Outstanding New Assistant Professor

Dhillon serves on the Executive Editorial Committee for IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications, has written three books, has edited two volumes, and has published more than 250 articles in peer-reviewed journals and conferences. He has appeared on multiple lists of highly cited authors, including Clarivate’s Highly Cited Researcher’s List. Additionally, he has received 12 awards from the National Science Foundation and secured or helped to secure research funding totaling more than $12 million, with Virginia Tech’s share exceeding $9 million.

Dhillon received his bachelor’s degree from the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, a master’s degree from Virginia Tech, and a Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin. 

“At the end of the day, research leadership is about people. It’s about helping faculty find the right collaborators, breaking down barriers, and creating an environment where big ideas can take off,” Dhillon said. “We need to invest in people as much as in ideas. Whether it’s mentoring early-career faculty, positioning mid-career researchers for leadership roles, or supporting faculty in earning prestigious honors, my goal is to make sure our research community has the resources and recognition it deserves.”

Dhillon is preceeded by Pamela VandeVord, the N. Waldo Harrison Professor in the Deparment of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics. VandeVord now serves as the director of research and scholarship within the Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Sciences.

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