College of Architecture names Viz prof associate dean for research
Ann McNamara, associate professor of visualization, was named associate dean for research at the Texas A&M College of Architecture effective June 15.
“Ann has made a significant contribution to our college’s research efforts,” said Jorge Vanegas, dean of the college. “I am confident that her knowledge, skills and expertise will be a tremendous asset in furthering our faculty’s success.”
In her new role, she will support faculty research efforts by providing information on new funding opportunities, reviewing grant proposals, directing the College Research and Interdisciplinary Council, leading the process of appointing/reappointing professorships and chairs, and working with college and university administrators on college research initiatives.
“I am looking forward to the opportunities and challenges associated with my new role,” said McNamara. “Given that our faculty’s funded research has significantly increased over the past several years, and we are aiming to grow it even more – the possibilities seem limitless.”
McNamara joined the college as an assistant professor in 2008, and has served as graduate program coordinator and associate department head.
An accomplished researcher, McNamara has over $2.5 million in external research funding and more than 35 peer-reviewed publications. In May 2021, Google Scholar reports 849 citations of McNamara’s research findings, meaning that her work is highly visible and influential in her areas of study, which include computer graphics, eye tracking, augmented reality and virtual reality.
McNamara is an active member of The Association for Computing Machinery, SIGGRAPH, The Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers and The Society of Women Engineers. In 2018 she was named a Presidential Impact Fellow and in 2015 she received the College Level Award for Distinguished Teaching from Texas A&M.
She earned a bachelor of science degree in 1996 and a Ph.D. in 2000 – both in computer science from the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom. McNamara received a Master of education degree “jure officii” from the University of Dublin, Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland in 2003 and a certificate in Data Analytics & Visualization from Rice University in 2020.
For more information, contact rnira@arch.tamu.edu or doswald@tamu.edu.
