Dr. Tansel Karabacak is Dean of the Donaghey College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. A longtime faculty member and nationally recognized researcher, he brings extensive experience in academic leadership, teaching, and interdisciplinary research.

He earned his B.S. in Physics from Middle East Technical University in Turkey and completed his Ph.D. in Applied Physics at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. His doctoral and postdoctoral research focused on thin film coatings and glancing angle deposited nanostructures. He joined UA Little Rock in 2006 as a faculty member in the Department of Applied Science and has since served in several leadership roles, including graduate coordinator, department chair, director, and dean.

Before being named dean, Dr. Karabacak served as Director of the School of Physical Sciences, where he led the integration of the Chemistry, Earth Science, and Physics and Astronomy programs into a unified school. Under his leadership, faculty secured significant grant funding and expanded interdisciplinary research collaborations.

Dr. Karabacak’s research focuses on nanostructured materials, thin films, and energy-related applications, including solar cells, fuel cells, and batteries. His work has been supported by agencies such as NASA, the Department of Energy, and the National Science Foundation. An Arkansas Research Alliance Fellow, he holds multiple U.S. patents and has received several university and national honors for his research and innovation.