Timothy L. Killeen

Timothy L. Killeen Overview

Timothy Laurence Killeen, a distinguished British-American geophysicist, space scientist, and professor, assumed the presidency of the University of Illinois system in 2015. Born in 1952 in Cardiff, Wales, Killeen has held principal investigator roles for prominent research projects backed by NASA and the National Science Foundation. With a remarkable research background, he has authored over 150 publications in peer-reviewed journals and more than 300 additional publications and papers. His contributions extend to government service, having participated in White House committees and task forces. Killeen's academic journey began at University College in London, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in physics and astronomy in 1972. His early enthusiasm for scientific inquiry was evident, leading him to complete a PhD in atomic and molecular physics by the age of 23 in 1975. Following his doctoral studies, Killeen continued his academic pursuits as a research assistant at the same un