FAMU and FSU engineering alumnus Gregory Triplett was recently tapped to be the founding dean of the School of Engineering and Science and Saint Louis University. (Courtesy Triplett)
Gregory Triplett, a FAMU-FSU College of Engineering graduate, was recently named the inaugural dean of Saint Louis University’s School of Science and Engineering.
As he looks toward the future, Triplett can’t help but reflect on the journey.
“As I travel the globe, whenever I see the “orange and green,” in other words, another Rattler, even if I have never met them before, it feels like old times,” Triplett explained. “My experience at FSU, where I earned my master’s, is a continuation of that same family feeling.”
Triplett studied electrical and computer engineering and earned his bachelor’s degree from Florida A&M University and his master’s from Florida State University before getting his doctorate from the Georgia Institute of Technology. His rich educational journey, however, began even earlier when former FAMU President Frederick Humphries, Sr. paid him a visit at his high school in Washington, DC.
“President Humphries came to my high school when I was a junior. There were 11 of us there. It was spring break, and no one was around, but his words stuck with me. He told us about FAMU, which made a big impression on me,” Triplett explained.
“I decided to go to FAMU and after receiving a full scholarship, I arrived on campus and met several engineering majors who had a similar experience to mine,” Triplett said. “President Humphries is the reason I came to FAMU. Once I arrived, I found he had that effect on many other engineering students. By seeking young talent nationwide, he single-handedly changed higher education and industry.”
Triplett continued, “The FAMU experience was life-changing for me. Two professors, Reginald Perry and Steve Durbin, were incredibly encouraging. They impressed on me the importance of pursuing research that I care about that impacts society, and even prophetically recommended I choose a career in higher education.”
Research and Beyond
In 2004, Triplett started his academic career at the University of Missouri where he served in various roles, including being a James C. Dowell associate professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Compound Semiconductor Research Lab director, and Mizzou’s honors college associate director.
His contributions to engineering education extend beyond academia into many other sectors, including working at the Air Force Research Laboratory on new device development efforts and serving on numerous boards and expert panels.
Triplett’s current research draws from the same tools he employed in semiconductor chip manufacturing but with applications in life sciences and medicine. He uses molecular fingerprinting and feature extraction to understand more deeply the impact of biochemical reactions on cellular networks.
“My research path was a winding road, but I always knew I wanted to enter the engineering field,” Triplett said. “I was mostly interested in physics and electronic materials, and acquired a spectrum of skills from research appointments and my time as faculty that applies to nanomanufacturing and related industries.”
The Future Looks Bright
“The St. Louis region has a vibrant technological industry and there are many opportunities to develop new technologies that will positively impact society,” Triplett said.
“My passion is to work for the greater good,” Triplett said. “Saint Louis University offers a platform to create opportunities for all student populations, especially those traditionally underserved, as well as provide the Midwest region with a diverse STEM workforce trained to solve current and future challenges impacting rural and urban communities.”
During his career, Triplett has helped secure $17 million as a principal investigator or co-principal investigator; authored over 140 publications and presentations; and won over a dozen awards for research, teaching, advising and mentoring.
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