Robert A. Brown, the dean of engineering and the Warren K. Lewis Professor of Chemical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, will deliver the 10th annual Julian C. Smith Lectures in Chemical Engineering at Cornell University on Tuesday, April 22, and Thursday, April 24.

Brown will speak on "Czochralski Crystal Growth of Silicon as a Unit Operation" (April 22) and "Thoughts on the Continuing Evolution of Chemical Engineering" (April 24). Both lectures, free and open to the public, will begin at 4:30 p.m. in Room 165 Olin Hall.

A member of the National Academy of Engineering and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Brown is recognized for his research in the mathematical modeling of fluid mechanics, heat and mass transfer and interfacial phenomena associated with melt crystal growth.

He received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in chemical engineering from the University of Texas at Austin and a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. He joined the faculty of MIT in 1979, and in 1984 he became a full professor. He has served as executive officer of the Department of Chemical Engineering (1986-92), co-director of MIT's supercomputer facility (1989-94) and head of the Department of Chemical Engineering (1989-95). In 1992 he assumed the Warren K. Lewis chair and in 1996 became dean of engineering.

The Julian C. Smith Lectureship in Chemical Engineering was established by members of Cornell's chemical engineering class of 1962 and other friends, colleagues and former students to honor "an inspiring teacher, respected author and influential consultant." Each year the fund brings a leader in the field of chemical engineering to Cornell to lecture and interact with students and faculty members. The purpose is to broaden perspectives and help keep the School of Chemical Engineering vigorous and responsive in an ever-changing world.