Liang (Lily) L. Wu

Biography

Liang (Lily) L. Wu, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Teaching in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. She is also the Chief Global Affairs Officer and Faculty Liaison to the Chancellor at the University of California, Irvine. She received a Ph.D. in Engineering with a concentration in Materials and Manufacturing Technology from UC Irvine in 2007.

Wu's research focuses on engineering education, with particular emphasis on project-based learning, experiential learning, and collaborative learning in first-year engineering courses. Her work has examined the impact of project-based engineering courses on student self-efficacy, performance, and retention, particularly for women and underrepresented students. She has published research on online learning integration, entrepreneurship education, and the adaptation of engineering courses for remote learning environments.

For her administrative role, Wu has developed and implemented several international education programs that have generated over $15 million in funding to UCI, including the UCI-DUT Joint Program in Mechanical Engineering, the 3+2 Program, the UCInspire Summer Research Program, etc. Wu also served as Faculty Director of International Programs for The Henry Samueli School of Engineering and previously held administrative roles including Director of Academic Innovation, Programs and Research Lab Manager at the Integrated Nanosystems Research Facility. She has facilitated international partnerships with institutions across the globe, and coordinated fellowship programs with foreign government sponsors. Wu received the Professor of the Year Award for Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from the Engineering Student Council in 2025.

Education

• Ph.D. in Engineering, with a Concentration in Materials and Manufacturing Technology, University of California, Irvine, 2007
• M.S. in Engineering, with a Concentration in Materials and Manufacturing Technology, University of California, Irvine, 2003
• B.S. in Chemical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, 2001

Distinctions

• Professor of the Year Award for Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Engineering Student Council, The Henry Samueli School of Engineering, 2025