In November 2025, Lach addressed the [https://staffcouncil.gwu.edu/ GW Staff Council], explaining that the university is “reenvisioning” the summit to support the entire community. He noted that officials are considering renaming the event to broaden its focus toward concepts like civil discourse and community inclusion.
In November 2025, Lach addressed the [https://staffcouncil.gwu.edu/ GW Staff Council], explaining that the university is “reenvisioning” the summit to support the entire community. He noted that officials are considering renaming the event to broaden its focus toward concepts like civil discourse and community inclusion.
These adjustments occurred alongside a pause in the search for a permanent Vice Provost for [[Diversity, equity, and inclusion|Diversity, Equity, and Community Engagement]], as the university reviews federal guidance on diversity initiatives. Lach has emphasized that these moves are intended to ensure all students succeed and that university resources remain available to all members of the community.
Lach has emphasized that these moves are intended to ensure all students succeed and that university resources remain available to all members of the community.
== Research and Scholarship ==
== Research and Scholarship ==
John Lach (born September 1973) is an American engineer and academic administrator who became the Interim Provost[1] and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs at George Washington University (GW) on July 1, 2025. Lach is a scholar in cyber-physical systems and smart health technology. Before becoming interim provost, he served as the dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS) from 2019 to 2025.[2]
Early life and education
[edit]
Raised in Wisconsin, Lach’s interest in engineering was influenced by his father, Frederick Charles “Fred” Lach Jr., an electrical engineer who taught him about circuits during family travels.[1][3] His father had previously worked as an engineer for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power before moving the family to Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, in 1972.[3]
Lach attended Stanford University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in 1996.[1] He later received his Master of Science and Ph.D. in electrical engineering from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in 2000.[1]
Lach began his academic career at the University of Virginia (UVA) in 2000 [1]. During his 19 years at UVA, he held several leadership positions, including chair of the Charles L. Brown Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (2012–2017) and director of cross-cutting initiatives. He was also a founding member of the UVA “Link Lab,” an interdisciplinary center focused on cyber-physical systems.
In August 2019, Lach became the dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Science at George Washington University. As dean, Lach prioritized research expansion, which resulted in securing large-scale grants and federal partnerships. His initiatives included the Trustworthy AI Initiative, a program designed to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) research with applications in law, public policy, and international affairs. Under his direction, the school established collaborations with the United States Navy and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).[1]
On July 1, 2025, he was appointed interim provost, succeeding Christopher Alan Bracey, with the responsibility of overseeing the university’s academic mission.
University Leadership (2025–2026)
[edit]
As interim provost, Lach has addressed various university matters. Following discussions on diversity initiatives in late 2025, he spoke about the university’s “Diversity Summit[4],” which was postponed to spring 2026.
In November 2025, Lach addressed the GW Staff Council, explaining that the university is “reenvisioning” the summit to support the entire community. He noted that officials are considering renaming the event to broaden its focus toward concepts like civil discourse and community inclusion.
Lach has emphasized that these moves are intended to ensure all students succeed and that university resources remain available to all members of the community.
Research and Scholarship
[edit]
Lach’s research focuses on wireless technologies in health,[5] cyber-physical systems, and body sensor networks. He has been a principal or co-investigator on more than 35 grants, securing over $57 million in research funding.[2] As of 2026, his scholarly work has been cited over 10,700 times, with an h-index of 45.[6] He also serves as the associate director for translational research for the National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center for Advanced Self-Powered Systems of Integrated Sensors and Technologies (ASSIST).
- All-University Teaching Award, University of Virginia (2005)[7]
- Distinguished Faculty Award, UVA School of Engineering and Applied Science (2016)[7]
- Senior Member, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)[8]
- ^ a b c d e “Meet GW Interim Provost John Lach | GW Today | The George Washington University”. GW Today. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
- ^ “Lach, John | School of Engineering & Applied Science | The George Washington University”. School of Engineering & Applied Science. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
- ^ a b “Frederick Charles “Fred” Lach, Jr. Obituary – Milwaukee Journal Sentinel”. jsonline.com. 2022-05-28. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
- ^ Albrecht, Paris. “GW weighs renaming Diversity Summit as officials broaden event’s focus: Lach”. The GW Hatchet. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
- ^ LeBaron, Virginia; Hayes, James; Gordon, Kate; Alam, Ridwan; Homdee, Nutta; Martinez, Yudel; Ogunjirin, Emmanuel; Thomas, Tanya; Jones, Randy; Blackhall, Leslie; Lach, John (2019-12-09). “Leveraging Smart Health Technology to Empower Patients and Family Caregivers in Managing Cancer Pain: Protocol for a Feasibility Study”. JMIR research protocols. 8 (12): e16178. doi:10.2196/16178. ISSN 1929-0748. PMC 6928698. PMID 31815679.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: article number as page number (link) CS1 maint: unflagged free DOI (link) - ^ “John Lach. Google Scholar”. January 19, 2026.
- ^ a b “John Lach’s CV” (PDF).
- ^ “John Lach’s faculty profile page”.
