J. Lalena, Ph.D.

Senior Director for Research Engagement

Research and Engagement

Email Address: jnlalena@uncg.edu

Phone: 336.334.9702

Get to Know Us

Dr. Lalena retired from the U.S. Department Energy in Washington D.C., where he had worked for ten years, in December 2025. Prior to his government service, he had a long industrial career and held a variety of roles for over 25 years predominantly in the advanced materials manufacturing sector, particularly semiconductors and electronic materials. He was employed by Texas Instruments, Honeywell, REC Silicon, and Ferro, among others. His PhD was earned from the University of New Orleans in inorganic solid-state (materials) chemistry, and he is the author of two textbooks in that field, one now in its third edition. At UNC Greensboro, Dr. Lalena is responsible for assisting faculty and staff with stakeholder engagement, building valued/trusted relationships and research program partnerships with funding agencies, sponsors/donors, and communities. In this way, vision is connected to resources and execution across a large, multi-program portfolio.