FPN06-53

Najmabadi to Head Energy Center at UCSD

June 30, 2006

On June 28, University of California at San Diego (UCSD) Vice Chancellor for Research, Richard Attiyeh, announced the appointment of Farrokh Najmabadi as the Director of the Center for Energy Research at UC San Diego, effective July 1, 2006. Professor Najmabadi, who has led the U. S. fusion program's power plant studies program for many years, is a member of the UCSD Electrical and Computer Engineering Department and has served as the Energy 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.

The University said, "Professor Najmabadi brings to the directorship a strong record of scientific achievement in the area of fusion research for which he is internationally recognized." When asked about his plans for the future of the center, Prof. Najmabadi said: "More than ever before, society is recognizing the importance of energy for a healthy economy and a secure future. I expect that many new opportunities will arise to leverage our existing strengths and to broaden and grow the center's activities. These are exciting times to be involved in energy research."

The Center for Energy Research is independently administered as an academic research unit that encourages interdisciplinary interactions among UCSD faculty, research staff and students, and is aimed at promoting and coordinating energy research and education. Joining Prof. Najmabadi as Associate Directors will be Prof. Steven Buckley, Dr. Mark Tillack, and Prof. George Tynan. More information about the Center and its activities can be found at http://cer.ucsd.edu

Najmabadi is a member of Fusion Power Associates Board of Directors. He can be reached at najmabadi@fusion.ucsd.edu