Lehigh University Names Vinod Namboodiri to Inaugural Health Innovation Chair
Bethlehem, PA – Lehigh University has appointed Professor Vinod Namboodiri as the inaugural Ellen and Vincent Forlenza ’75 Endowed Chair in Health Innovation and Technology. Namboodiri, who holds joint appointments in the College of Health and the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science, will serve a five-year term in this prestigious role.
The Forlenza Endowed Chair, a first for the College of Health, was established through a generous gift from Ellen and Vincent Forlenza, both alumni of the university. This appointment underscores Namboodiri’s commitment to advancing innovation in health and technology, contributing to the mission of both colleges and the wider Lehigh community.
Endowed chairs represent the highest honor bestowed upon distinguished faculty, providing crucial support for their research and scholarly pursuits. Namboodiri’s focus as the inaugural chair will be on applying technology to improve health, particularly in the areas of assistive technologies for individuals with disabilities and the aging population.
A Vision for Assistive Technology
A central element of Namboodiri’s vision is the establishment of an interdisciplinary research center dedicated to Assistive Technologies. The center aims to enhance the lives of people with disabilities by improving their health, well-being, and opportunities for employment. It will address challenges related to mobility, accessibility, and aging in place, exploring technology-driven solutions at the intersection of health, disability, and aging.
“Dr. Namboodiri is an interdisciplinary scholar and visionary leader whose work advances research that drives innovation in technology toward improvements for people with disabilities,” said one of the administrators involved in the selection. Namboodiri is committed to conducting translational research with real-world impact. He plans to actively engage with the communities his work will affect, ensuring solutions are directly inspired by their specific needs.
The Office of the Provost initiated the search for the chair earlier this year, inviting nominations from across the university. A dedicated committee, composed of esteemed faculty and administrators from various departments, reviewed the nominations and unanimously selected Namboodiri for the position.
“I believe that Vinod will bring to bear the full weight of his experience, expertise, personal awareness and commitment to sustainability in improving the lives of those living with disabilities through technology as the inaugural Ellen and Vincent Forlenza ’75 Endowed Chair,” said a university representative.
University Contributions
Namboodiri joined Lehigh University in 2023 as a professor of Community & Population Health in the College of Health and a professor of Computer Science & Engineering in the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science. He is actively involved in research, service, mentoring, and teaching across both colleges. He currently serves as principal investigator on numerous significant projects funded by the National Science Foundation.
He has also cultivated both established and emerging partnerships within the community. His impressive funding record includes support from federal agencies, foundations, and potential funding from the private sector.
“His work in developing life changing assistive technology with community input aligns with the Forlenza’s early vision for health technology and innovation as a differentiating aspect of the College of Health’s identity,” said another university representative. “In this position, Dr. Namboodiri will grow research and education in this area not only for the College of Health, but across Lehigh.”
