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Penn Director of the Nanotechnology (NTI) and Energy Commercialization (ECI) Institutes: Karen Winey

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February 21, 2012, Volume 58, No. 23

Karen WineyDr. Karen I. Winey of SEAS was appointed Penn Director of the Nanotechnology (NTI) and Energy Commercialization (ECI) institutes effective December 1, 2011. Dr. Winey is a professor of materials science and engineering with a secondary appointment in chemical and biomolecular engineering.

The NTI, a collaboration between Penn, Drexel and the Benjamin Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania, is nationally recognized as a leader in nanotechnology translational research. The ECI is also a multi-institutional partnership aimed at accelerating alternative and clean energy technology development and commercialization, through translational research and sponsored research funding.

The work of both institutes is made possible by grants from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. In the newly combined position, Dr. Winey replaces Dr. Robert Carpick as director of the NTI and Dr. Cherie Kagan as director of the ECI. Dr. Winey will serve as principal investigator and coordinate Penn's engagement with both entities, according to the Senior Vice Provost for Research Steven J. Fluharty and Penn Engineering Dean Eduardo Glandt.

"Dr. Karen Winey is eminently qualified and positioned to lead both institutes on the University's behalf given her dedication, interests, and noteworthy accomplishments," Dr. Fluharty said. "Karen has done ground-breaking work in nanotechnology research, with a particular emphasis on polymer nanocomposites with carbon nanotubes or metal nanowires. Her current focus on designing and fabricating new materials with improved electrical properties is very closely aligned to the mission of the NTI—linking cutting-edge science to industrial applications. She is also a scientific leader in ion-containing polymers, which have current applications in batteries and fuel cells. We look forward to working with her and our partner institutions as the NTI and ECI continue to carry out their mission in our region."

Dr. Winey received her BS from Cornell University in materials science and engineering and her MS and PhD in polymer science and engineering from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Following a postdoctoral position at AT&T Bell Laboratories, she joined the faculty of the University of Pennsylvania in 1992. Beyond Penn, Dr. Winey serves as an associate editor for Macromolecules, the leading journal for polymer science. She was elected to the executive committee of the Division of Polymer Physics within the American Physical Society and will serve as chair in 2013.

Her honors include Fellow of the American Physical Society (2003), a Special Creativity Award from the National Science Foundation (2009-2011), and the George H. Heilmeier Faculty Award for Excellence in Research (2012). Dr. Winey has authored over 125 peer-reviewed journal publications, holds five patents and currently has two licensing agreements.

Almanac - February 21, 2012, Volume 58, No. 23