Former SCET Academic Director Professor Mark Asta Named Dean of Berkeley Engineering
Professor Mark Asta, a distinguished materials scientist and a vital part of the UC Berkeley community for over 15 years, has been named the 14th Dean of the College of Engineering.
His appointment, announced by Chancellor Rich Lyons and Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Ben Hermalin, follows a competitive national search.
A Legacy of Leadership and Innovation
Before stepping into his leadership roles at the College of Engineering, Professor Asta served as the Academic Director for the Sutardja Center for Entrepreneurship & Technology (SCET) from 2022 to 2025. During his time with SCET, he was instrumental in fostering the intersection of deep technical research and entrepreneurial thinking—a vision he now brings to the helm of the entire college.
Professor Asta’s journey with Berkeley is a storied one:
- Triple Alum: He earned his B.S., Master’s, and Ph.D. all from UC Berkeley.
- Leadership Excellence: He previously served as the Chair of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering (2012–18) and the Director of the Materials Sciences Division at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (2018–22).
- Research Pioneer: A world-renowned expert in computational materials science, his work leverages Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data-driven design to discover materials for extreme environments, including aerospace and clean energy.
Vision for the Future
As Dean, Professor Asta is committed to ensuring that Berkeley Engineering remains at the forefront of “Physical AI” and sustainable innovation. Dean Asta been a strong advocate for hands-on learning in Engineering, not only by supporting applied entrepreneurial applied learning at SCET, but also by supporting other immersive experiences such as the Student Organization Applied Research (SOAR) labs. His focus on hands-on, collaborative experiences aim to prepare the next generation of engineering leaders to solve pressing global challenges.
“This dynamic landscape presents extraordinary opportunities for Berkeley Engineering to confront our most pressing societal challenges, while also fulfilling a responsibility to ensure inclusive access and champion sustainable practices.” — Mark Asta
Professor Asta has been serving as the college’s interim dean since July 2025 and will officially begin his full term on July 1, 2026.
Professor Mark Asta, a distinguished materials scientist and a vital part of the UC Berkeley community for over 15 years, has been named the 14th Dean of the College of Engineering.
His appointment, announced by Chancellor Rich Lyons and Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Ben Hermalin, follows a competitive national search.
A Legacy of Leadership and Innovation
Before stepping into his leadership roles at the College of Engineering, Professor Asta served as the Academic Director for the Sutardja Center for Entrepreneurship & Technology (SCET) from 2022 to 2025. During his time with SCET, he was instrumental in fostering the intersection of deep technical research and entrepreneurial thinking—a vision he now brings to the helm of the entire college.
Professor Asta’s journey with Berkeley is a storied one:
- Triple Alum: He earned his B.S., Master’s, and Ph.D. all from UC Berkeley.
- Leadership Excellence: He previously served as the Chair of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering (2012–18) and the Director of the Materials Sciences Division at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (2018–22).
- Research Pioneer: A world-renowned expert in computational materials science, his work leverages Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data-driven design to discover materials for extreme environments, including aerospace and clean energy.
Vision for the Future
As Dean, Professor Asta is committed to ensuring that Berkeley Engineering remains at the forefront of “Physical AI” and sustainable innovation. Dean Asta been a strong advocate for hands-on learning in Engineering, not only by supporting applied entrepreneurial applied learning at SCET, but also by supporting other immersive experiences such as the Student Organization Applied Research (SOAR) labs. His focus on hands-on, collaborative experiences aim to prepare the next generation of engineering leaders to solve pressing global challenges.
“This dynamic landscape presents extraordinary opportunities for Berkeley Engineering to confront our most pressing societal challenges, while also fulfilling a responsibility to ensure inclusive access and champion sustainable practices.” — Mark Asta
Professor Asta has been serving as the college’s interim dean since July 2025 and will officially begin his full term on July 1, 2026.