About Julie Chen

Julie Chen is a scientist and leader in economic development who became the fourth chancellor of UMass Lowell in July 2022.

Chancellor Chen previously worked as the university’s chief research officer. Her record of innovation included building new partnerships with government and industry — from the collaborations woven into the Fabric Discovery Center to relationships such as the Raytheon-UMass Lowell Research Institute and the HEROES partnership with the U.S. Army.

Under the chancellor’s leadership, the university grew the use of its core research facilities, by expanding access to its laboratories and training to more than 200 industry users.

Chen is an accomplished mechanical engineer and professor. She is an expert in materials processing and nano-manufacturing. She has led programs in those areas at the National Science Foundation; represented the United States in international workshops; and testified before Congress.

At UMass Lowell, her many areas of influence include leadership of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging initiatives. She co-led the university’s Council on Social Justice and Inclusion, as well as a $3.5 million project supported by the National Science Foundation to remove obstacles for female faculty in STEM fields.

Chen earned a bachelor of science degree, master of science degree and Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.