The College of Science is proud to share that Physics Professor Davide Lazzati has been appointed associate dean for faculty affairs, effective Aug. 15. In this role, he will help the College support faculty success, expand access and opportunity, and carry forward its mission to extend the reach and impact of science.
As associate dean, Lazzati will work closely with the dean, fellow associate deans and department heads to support more than 300 faculty members across the College. He will oversee professional development programs, mentoring initiatives, named professorships and faculty awards, while also guiding policy related to promotion and tenure. He will help ensure that faculty hiring and advancement practices reflect Oregon State’s commitment to inclusive excellence.
“I’m so pleased that Davide is serving as associate dean for faculty affairs. He knows firsthand how important it is for faculty to feel supported in their teaching, research and mentoring, and his leadership will help us create an environment where they can inspire deeper learning in the classroom, innovation in the lab, and extend the reach of our science,” said Dean Eleanor Feingold.
Lazzati brings deep leadership experience to the position. He served as head of the Department of Physics from 2021 to June 2025, guiding the department through a period of growth and innovation in both research and teaching. During his tenure, the department strengthened its focus on inclusive, evidence-based instruction and expanded opportunities for students to engage in discovery-driven research that prepares them for diverse careers. He also championed faculty development and fostered collaborations that raised the department’s visibility nationally and internationally.
An internationally recognized astrophysicist, Lazzati’s research explores gamma-ray bursts and neutron star mergers—phenomena that reveal the most extreme environments in the universe. His pioneering work has shaped the field and earned him recognition as a leader in theoretical astrophysics. By connecting this frontier research to the broader scientific community, he has reinforced Oregon State’s reputation as a center for scientific innovation and excellence in education.
Lazzati earned his doctorate in physics from the university of Milan,. He joined Oregon State’s College of Science in 2013, where he has built a vibrant research program and mentored graduate and undergraduate students who have gone on to careers in academia, industry and national laboratories.
