The University of Alabama Honors College has appointed Dr. Jair Lizarazo-Adarme as assistant director of Capstone Experience, effective Jan. 12, 2026.
In this role, Lizarazo-Adarme will work with the director of Capstone Experience to support the planning and administration of the Honors College’s signature, culminating academic experience for students.
“Dr. Lizarazo-Adarme brings a deep commitment to student growth and integrative learning to this role,” said Dr. Tiffany Sippial, dean of the Honors College. “His work reflects the values at the heart of the Honors Capstone Experience, and we are delighted to welcome his leadership.”
Interim Director of Capstone Experience Dr. Tyler Sasser cited Lizarazo-Adarme’s background in undergraduate research and collaborative teaching.
“With a background in chemical engineering and a sincere respect for undergraduate research, Dr. Lizarazo-Adarme brings a collaborative approach to student research in the Honors Capstone,” Sasser said. “His own research, much like his teaching, reflects the College’s purpose.”
Lizarazo-Adarme said he looks forward to advancing student success through the Capstone Experience.
“I am honored to help enhance our students’ culminating signature learning experience while fostering interdisciplinary collaboration to prepare them for building partnerships that create lasting impact beyond the classroom,” Lizarazo-Adarme said. “I look forward to this opportunity to drive innovation and advance student success.”
Lizarazo-Adarme has served at The University of Alabama for nine years and has been a member of the Honors College faculty since Aug. 16, 2025. He most recently served as research manager in the College of Engineering, where he supported research and teaching across engineering disciplines. A native of Colombia, he earned a doctorate in chemical engineering from UA and an MBA from Oregon State University.
Previously, he served as director of operations at the Microproducts Breakthrough Institute, a joint initiative of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and Oregon State University. While at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, he received an R&D 100 Award for setting a world record in converting solar thermal energy into chemical energy.
Lizarazo-Adarme is a past president of the UA Professional Staff Assembly and serves on the University Club Board of Governors.
The Capstone Experience in the Honors College at The University of Alabama serves as the culminating academic and intellectual endeavor for students. The capstone course integrates and synthesizes the knowledge and skills acquired throughout their undergraduate studies, challenging students to work independently to apply this learning to real-world problems or projects. The experience is designed to foster critical and creative thinking, ethical citizenship and collaborative leadership, with a focus on transdisciplinary learning. It consists of a required course, co-curricular events and workshops, and an end-of-semester Capstone Showcase.
