Q&A Pramod Khargonekar, Ph.D.
Vice Chancellor of Research, UC Irvine Chair, UC Noyce Executive Committee
Reflecting on leadership, collaboration, and the future of the UC Noyce Initiative
By Sarah Colwell
Image courtesy of UC Irvine
Vice Chancellor of Research at UC Irvine, Pramod Khargonekar, has played a key role in shaping the UC Noyce Initiative since its founding having served on the executive leadership committee since 2019 and then as chair from 2023-2025. Now, as he prepares to step down from both his role with UCNI and his position as vice chancellor in June 2025, he shares his thoughts on what the Initiative has accomplished and his hopes for the future.
Q: What motivated you to support UC Irvine in getting involved with the UC Noyce Initiative? A: When I was approached about the UC Noyce Initiative from its very early beginnings, the name "Noyce" immediately appealed to me. Bob Noyce, the co-founder of Intel, is a legend in electrical engineering and a pioneer in semiconductor technology. Given my background in electrical engineering and my work on semiconductor manufacturing, I felt a strong connection to Noyce's legacy. I saw the UC Noyce Initiative as a great opportunity to get involved in building something that would honor his pioneering work and impact. Q: How did the Noyce Legacy influence your leadership as chair of the executive committee? A: For me, leading the UC Noyce Initiative came with a deep sense of responsibility. I felt we had to live up to Noyce's legacy and build something that he would be proud of. This has driven my work on the initiative, as I've strived to provide creative leadership, collaborate effectively with my colleagues across the UC campuses, and work closely with the trustees to realize the vision that Noyce and the Noyce Trust have set forth. It's been a privilege to be entrusted with honoring Noyce's pioneering contributions to the field of electrical engineering and digital technologies.
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