In the News, Part II, March 2010

Chief Scientist of the U.S. Air Force, Werner J.A. Dahm, Ph.D. (AL D ’78), is profiled in a recent article from the Los Angeles Times for his role in deciding “which scientific innovations are worth pursuing.”

Dahm began his position with the Air Force in 2008 and is currently on leave as a professor at the University of Michigan. In his current role, Dahm “takes part in big decisions while offering an outside perspective.”

Read the full article for more about Dahm’s role in the development of new technologies such as a “futuristic laser beam and a hypersonic (jet) engine.”

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A story from Biomass Magazine highlights a new institute that has been approved at the University of Toledo.

The Institute for Sustainable Engineering Materials “will bring together research teams to solve materials development- related problems, within a variety of industries.”

Dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Toledo, Nagi Naganathan (OH Z ’78), is confident in the potential research at the new center for green technology and innovation, “We want to be a problem solver for industries. We already have some proven outcomes we can share with industries in terms of why this institute can be beneficial for them.”

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Dean of Stanford’s School of Engineering, Dr. James Plummer (CA E ’66), discussed attracting “a new type of engineer” with the San Francisco Chronicle.

In the article, Dr. Plummer describes his viewpoints on the type of students Stanford University should try to attract for its School of Engineering.

This new recruitment pitch does not appeal to everyone, however, Dr. Plummer is looking for students “who might have a wider world view.”

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