Wei-Jen Lee earns IEEE Medal honor
Wei-Jen Lee, professor and chair of the Department of Electrical Engineering at The University of Texas at Arlington, has been awarded the IEEE Medal for Environmental and Safety Technologies, one of the highest honors bestowed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.
The medals recognize innovators whose work has shaped modern technology across disciplines including AI, education and semiconductors.
“This medal makes me believe that protecting people and protecting our environment are the same commitment to safeguarding life through responsible innovation,” Dr. Lee said.
The IEEE Medal for Environmental and Safety Technologies recognizes outstanding accomplishments in the application of technology in the fields of interest of IEEE that improve the environment and/or public safety, including intelligent transportation systems, wireless communications, sensor networks control and control and automation, computing and signal processing.
Lee received the award “for contributions to advancing electrical safety in the workplace, integrating renewable energy and grid modernization for climate change mitigation.”
“Dr. Lee has been at the top of his field for decades and his contributions to energy systems and workplace safety are well-documented,” said Peter Crouch, dean of the College of Engineering. “This is a well-deserved honor, and we are proud to have him as a member of our faculty.”
Lee joined UTA in 1985 as a visiting assistant professor. He is the director of UTA’s Energy Systems Research Center.
He is an expert on renewable energy, smart grids, microgrids and power systems and served as president of the IEEE Industry Application Society from 2021 to 2022.
Lee is a Fellow of IEEE, member of the National Academy of Inventors and registered Professional Engineer in the State of Texas. He is one of just five faculty members from American universities invited to serve on the United Nations Council of Engineers for the Energy Transition (CEET): An Independent Advisory Council to the Secretary-General.
About The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA)
The University of Texas at Arlington is a growing public research university in the heart of Dallas-Fort Worth. With a student body of over 42,700, UTA is the second-largest institution in the University of Texas System, offering more than 180 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Recognized as a Carnegie R-1 university, UTA stands among the nation’s top 5% of institutions for research activity. UTA and its 280,000 alumni generate an annual economic impact of $28.8 billion for the state. The University has received the Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation from the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities and has earned recognition for its focus on student access and success, considered key drivers to economic growth and social progress for North Texas and beyond.