Accomplished Innovator, Leader Begins Role as Provost

A member of the National Academy of Inventors and a licensed professional engineer, Christensen is a leading expert in photonics, integrated optical systems, computational imaging and next-generation sensing technologies. His research has helped advance applications ranging from national security and advanced communications to imaging and sensing systems.

Christensen, also a professor of electrical and computer engineering, was dean of engineering at Southern Methodist University from 2013 to 2022 and president of Clarkson University from 2022 to 2024. He joined UT Dallas in February as a special advisor for industry engagement and innovation, and advised Dr. Joseph J. Pancrazio, vice president for research and innovation, and University leaders on academic and federal research partnerships.

He is a strong advocate for faculty scholarship, graduate education and the translation of university discoveries into societal and economic impact.

"Dr. Christensen brings to this role a distinguished record of leadership across higher education - as a department chair, dean and university president - and a deep understanding of UT Dallas and its trajectory," said UT Dallas President Prabhas V. Moghe, who holds the Eugene McDermott Distinguished University Chair of Leadership.

Christensen earned a Bachelor of Science in engineering physics from Cornell University and his Master of Science and PhD - both in electrical and computer engineering - from George Mason University.

Early in his career, he was recognized by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) as a "rising star" in microsystems research and was selected among the inaugural recipients of the DARPA Young Faculty Award.

He has written or co-written more than 100 peer-reviewed journal articles and conference papers, holds 10 U.S. patents, and has led numerous interdisciplinary and multi-institutional research collaborations supported by federal agencies and industry partners. His scholarly contributions have been published in leading venues across engineering and applied physics.

At SMU, he expanded the engineering school's research enterprise, strengthened doctoral education and helped position faculty for success in highly competitive federal funding programs.

At Clarkson, he championed strategic investments in research, innovation and entrepreneurship that reinforced the university's standing as a nationally recognized technological research institution.

Christensen will work with deans, faculty and academic leaders to advance UT Dallas' mission and to further elevate the impact across teaching, research and engagement.

"His experience, vision and collaborative leadership style will help us build on our momentum and define what it means to be a leading public research university in the 21st century," Moghe said.