William Lord, distinguished professor of electrical and computer engineering, has a handful of new responsibilities he has to adjust to.

Lord is currently acting as interim vice provost for research and advanced studies and dean of the Graduate College, filling the spot left empty by Patricia Swan, who resigned in the fall.

His new duties include dealing with faculty research, as well as recruitment and overseeing the Graduate College.

“I will assist the provost in defining new thrust areas for graduate studies,” Lord said.

Prem Paul, associate vice provost for research, said his time working with Lord has been exciting.

“He is wonderful to work with,” he said. “When the new vice provost comes in, the place will be very well-organized.”

Lord said as vice provost of research, he has been involved with the controversy regarding research at Iowa State, in which some faculty members have asserted that the university has become too research orientated.

“I’m not sure what all the fuss is about,” he said. “Research and teaching go hand in hand, and they always have.”

Lord said many researchers are very good instructors.

“Some of the best researchers are the best teachers,” he said. “They are enthusiastic about their topics and know about the latest breakthroughs in their fields.”

Before coming to Iowa State in 1988, Lord was a professor of electrical engineering at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colo., for 21 years. He received his Ph.D. in electrical engineering from the University of Nottingham in England.

At Iowa State, he has served as the electrical engineering department chair, the associate dean of engineering research and graduate studies and the assistant director of physical research and technology.

Currently, Lord is the Palmer Chair in electrical and computer engineering and is conducting research in non-destructive testing. This work involves focusing specifically on the use of electromagnetic energy in finding defects in materials used in structures such as airplanes.

The search for a new vice provost of research and advanced studies is currently underway. The committee is being led by Stan Johnson, vice provost for Extension.