URBANA, Ill. – Ronaldo Maghirang has been named head of the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) at the University of Illinois. Maghirang will assume the position on May 1, pending approval by the Board of Trustees.

Maghirang comes to this position from a 25-year career at Kansas State University, where he serves as the associate dean of research and graduate programs for the College of Engineering. He also serves as an administrator of the Engineering and Leadership Innovation program at KSU.

Maghirang maintains an acclaimed research program focused on improving the scientific understanding of air-quality issues associated with animal feeding and grain handling operations, and he has received several national awards.

“Based on his ability to articulate a thoughtful vision for the department, his demonstrated long-term success as an effective administrator and faculty member, and his enthusiastic yet calming demeanor, Dr. Maghirang has the ideal skill set to bring to this position,” says Kim Kidwell, dean of the College of ACES.

“His external perspective and extensive collaborative experiences will be valuable assets as he works with faculty, students and staff to shape the future of the department. I am thrilled that Dr. Maghirang will soon be a member of the ACES leadership team.”

Maghirang received a bachelor’s degree in agricultural engineering and a master’s degree in agrometeorology, both from the University of the Philippines Los Baños, and a Ph.D. in agricultural engineering from Pennsylvania State University.