CER News
28 June 2006

UCSD
CAMPUS NOTICE
University of California, San Diego


               OFFICE OF GRADUATE STUDIES AND RESEARCH
          
                                          June 28, 2006

 
ALL ACADEMICS
KEY ADMINISTRATORS/KEY SUPPORT STAFF

SUBJECT:  Director of the Center for Energy Research (CER)

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Farrokh Najmabadi as the
Director of the Center for Energy Research effective July 1, 2006. 
Professor Najmabadi is a Professor of Electrical and Computer
Engineering and has served as the Center's Deputy Director since
September 1, 2004.  Since its founding in 1972 with Professor Sanford
Penner as founding director, and then under the leadership of Professor
Forman Williams, the Center has been at the forefront of both combustion
and fusion research.

Professor Najmabadi brings to the directorship a strong record of
scientific achievement in the area of fusion research for which he has
received several awards.  As recommended in the recent review of the
Center, he is committed to broadening the Center's research agenda to
include new initiatives in areas such as bio-fuels and photovoltaics
that will build on the Center's strengths in combustion and fusion
research and will help to address California's and the nation's critical
energy-related challenges.  To this end he will be reaching out to
faculty and students in a broad array of departments and ORUs who have
an interest in the scientific, technological, and policy issues
associated with energy production and utilization.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Professor Williams for
his service as director.  Since his appointment in 1991, he has had a
record of substantial achievement in the area of combustion research and
he has brought national and international recognition to the Center and
the campus for research in the energy field.

Please join me in welcoming Professor Najmabadi as the next Director of
the Center for Energy Research.

 

                          Richard Attiyeh
                          Vice Chancellor for Research