
Inspires students to love their studies.
Adele Wright, Ph.D., serves as Professor of Mechanical Engineering Technology in the Engineering Technologies department at Columbus State Community College. She earned her B.S. from Carnegie Mellon University and both her M.S. and Ph.D. from the Georgia Institute of Technology's George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering. During her doctoral studies, Wright conducted research on endothelial cell factors influencing cell motility, resulting in key publications such as "The Differential Effect of Endothelial Cell Factors on In Vitro Motility of Malignant and Non-Malignant Cells" (Annals of Biomedical Engineering, 2008) and "Integrin Dependence of Calu-1 Cell Motility on Endothelial Cell Factors" (Annals of Biomedical Engineering, 2008). She was supported by an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, an NIH Predoctoral Traineeship (GM 08433), and a Whitaker Foundation Traineeship.
Wright has dedicated over 25 years to Columbus State Community College, marking her 25-year service anniversary in early 2025. In 2023, she received the college's Distinguished Full Professor Award, honoring her exemplary contributions in service, scholarship, innovation, and leadership—qualities for faculty to emulate. She has held significant committee roles, including Co-chair of the Office of Academic Affairs Assessment Committee and ex-officio voting member of the Institutional Learning Goals Committee. As Principal Investigator for the NSF Advanced Technological Education grant "Next Generation Multi-craft Manufacturing Support Technician" (Award #1400354, 2014–2018), she led collaborations with Miami University, high schools, Honda, and manufacturers to address Ohio's need for skilled multi-craft technicians. Wright actively supports international student exchanges with German partner institutions, organizes industry tours such as to Hikma Pharmaceuticals, and contributes to workforce programs for Intel chip manufacturing through hands-on Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology training. She also serves on the External Advisory Council for Biomedical Engineering at The Ohio State University, extending her impact in engineering education.