Director of Continuing Education
Penn State Abington

Cicio is a data-driven manager with a demonstrated history of working in continuing education, community engagement and program development. Cicio is skilled in strengths-based leadership and relationship-building and specializes in evolving existing programs, identifying strategic opportunities and implementing new initiatives.

Her experience includes working with internal and external partners and developing new relationships as she expands and develops programs. Prior to her time at Rutgers, Cicio served as the community education coordinator at Prevent Child Abuse – NJ, where she developed and delivered research-based workshops and events to groups statewide.

Cicio is a two-time graduate of Rutgers, having earned her bachelor’s degree in sociology and criminal justice and a master’s of public administration there. She also has completed a teaching certificate and a diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace certificate.

Research Associate, Applied Research Laboratory and Co-director of Center for e-Design, Penn State site
Penn State Applied Research Laboratory

Experienced Research Associate skilled in Research and Development (R&D), Mathematical Modeling, Engineering Management, Matlab, and Data Analysis. Strong research professional with a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) focused in Industrial Engineering from Penn State University.

Associate Vice Chancellor and Associate Dean for Research, Office of Research and Outreach
Penn State Harrisburg

Dr. Sharareh “Sherri” Kermanshachi was named the college’s associate vice chancellor and associate dean for research on Aug. 1, 2023. She previously served at the University of Texas at Arlington as a professor of civil engineering; director of research initiatives in the College of Engineering; director of the Center for Transportation, Equity, Decisions and Dollars Technology Transfer programs; and director of the Resilient Infrastructure and Sustainable Environment (RISE) Lab.

Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Director of the School of Engineering
Penn State Behrend

Dr. Timothy Kurzweg is director of the School of Engineering at Penn State Behrend, and professor of electrical and computer engineering.

He previously served as vice provost for undergraduate education at Drexel, in Philadelphia. Kurzweg, an expert in optical microsystems and alternative materials for electronics and antennas, also directed the university’s bachelor of science in engineering program, a unique degree for students who want to pursue engineering as a field while still exploring coursework in other academic disciplines.

Kurzweg holds a doctorate and a master’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Pittsburgh. He has a bachelor’s degree from Penn State.

He has served as principal or co-principal investigator for approximately $9.5 million in funded research and has published more than 80 journal and conference papers. He also holds multiple patents.

Kurzweg’s research, which has applications in bio-sensing, communications, and medical imaging, has been supported by the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Defense, and private industry.

At Penn State Behrend, Kurzweg leads an engineering school with 1,600 students and a top-30 national ranking, according to U.S. News & World Report.

Director of Penn TAP
Penn Stata University Park

Tanna Pugh is the director of PennTAP, responsible for overseeing the programs and personnel who offer technical assistance to small and midsize companies throughout the Commonwealth. Prior to joining PennTAP, Tanna had a 25-year career divided between industry and academia. She brings years of experience in building and sustaining long-term relationships, tech transfer, as well as program and business development. She most recently worked with Airgas as an account manager, where she marketed and sold products for this leader of industrial, medical, and specialty gases.

Associate Professor, Department of Surgery
Chief, Division of Outcomes, Research and Quality
Penn State Hershey

Expertise in health economics, health services and outcomes research, epidemiology, theoretical/applied econometrics and biostatistics.

Expertise in a wide range of therapeutic areas including oncology, surgery, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and mental illness.

16 years of experience as researcher and teacher in academia and consultant in pharmaceutical industry.

Leading an interdisciplinary team of clinicians, economists, statisticians, analysts, students, program coordinators, and scientists to accomplish goals stated in funded projects and managing contracts, budgets and fulfilling milestones and deadlines in a timely manner.