Semerjian Appointed as Visiting Professor

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Dr. Hratch G. Semerjian

Dr. Hratch G. Semerjian, the former President and Executive Director of the Council for Chemical Research (CCR), has been appointed as a Visiting Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering.  A member of the National Academy of Engineering and a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Semerjian previously served as Chief Scientist, Acting Director, and Deputy Director of the National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Gaithersburg, MD. As NIST Deputy Director, he was responsible for overall operation of the Institute, the effectiveness of NIST’s technical programs, and interactions with external and international organizations.   He holds M.Sc. (1968) and Ph.D. (1972) degrees in Engineering from Brown University and is the winner of the Brown Engineering Alumni Medal, the U.S. Department of Commerce Meritorious Federal Service (Silver Medal) Award, and the U.S. Department of Commerce Distinguished Achievement in Federal Service (Gold Medal) Award.

The appointment, which lasts through December 2014, allows Semerjian to use the University of Maryland’s resources to conduct research, pursue funding, and teach courses in the Department. Semerjian’s appointment provides the Department with a local leader in the field of engineering and strengthens the reputation as a premier mechanical engineering department.

Published December 21, 2011