Marian University Indianapolis has appointed Daba Gedafa, Ph.D., as Dean of the E.S. Witchger School of Engineering. A nationally recognized pavement and materials engineering leader, Dr. Gedafa brings deep expertise in sustainable infrastructure, research innovation, and academic leadership to Marian University as it continues expanding its engineering programs to meet regional and national workforce needs.
"We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Gedafa to Marian University," said Binh Tran, Ph.D., Chief Academic Officer. "His distinguished record of academic leadership, research excellence, and commitment to student success aligns perfectly with our vision for the future of the Witchger School of Engineering."
Dr. Gedafa previously served as Chair and Professor of Civil Engineering at the University of North Dakota (UND), where he held the prestigious Michael & Sitney Lodoen Endowed Professorship. He has secured over $2.2 million in competitive research funding throughout his career and authored more than 60 peer-reviewed publications on pavement performance, sustainable materials, and traffic safety.
An accomplished educator and mentor, Dr. Gedafa has guided numerous graduate students and emerging scholars. He has also demonstrated strong leadership in professional service, holding editorial roles with the Transportation Research Record, serving on committees for the Transportation Research Board (TRB) and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), and contributing to National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) initiatives. A Fellow of ASCE since 2021, Dr. Gedafa also served as President and Vice President of the ASCE North Dakota Section, where he advocated for critical infrastructure investment.
Dr. Gedafa earned his Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from Kansas State University, his M.Tech. in Transportation Systems Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, and his B.S. in Civil Engineering from Addis Ababa University. His academic career began as an Assistant Lecturer at Arbamich University in Ethiopia and has included research and teaching roles at Kansas State University and the University of Connecticut.
"I am honored to join Marian University’s E.S. Witchger School of Engineering at such an exciting time," said Dr. Gedafa. "I look forward to working collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and industry partners to build on the school's strong foundation and advance its mission of excellence in education, research, and service."