E. Dan Hirleman is currently Professor and William E. and Florence E. Perry Head of Mechanical Engineering at Purdue University, with a courtesy appointment in Electrical and Computer Engineering. Prior to this he was on the faculty in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Arizona State University where he also served as Vice-chair for Aerospace Engineering, Interim Chair, and Associate Dean for Research and received teaching and research awards. Hirleman received the BS, MS, and PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University. His research is in the area of optical diagnostics including surface characterization and sensors for semiconductor manufacturing, particle and flow diagnostics, bio-hazard detection, and design for inspectability and has been funded by 23 companies and 8 government agencies. Prof. Hirleman has over one hundred-fifty technical papers, an edited book, sixty invited lectures in ten countries, and four patents. He has received National Science Foundation, Howard Hughes, and Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Fellowships. Hirleman has chaired the International Congress on Optical Particle Sizing, co-chaired the Defect Detection group of the International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors (ITRS) effort, and served as Topical Editor of Applied Optics and on the Editorial Board of Particle Characterization. At Purdue he has orchestrated development of the Global Engineering Alliance for Research and Education (GEARE), a program integrating domestic and international internships, study abroad, and multi-national design team experiences for engineering students.