Science Alliance Annual Report
2008–2009
UT-ORNL Governor's Chair Appointments
The new Governor’s Chair Program, directed by the UT Office of the Executive Vice President, now has six appointments. Governor’s Chairs offer competitive salaries, annual research funds, and start-up support for additional resources, such as related faculty appointments, research staff, and instrumentation. The Science Alliance helps to administer the program. Governor’s Chair appointees are pictured on the left (from top to bottom).
Howard Hall, a nuclear chemist, is an expert in preventing and responding to nuclear terrorism. He holds a joint appointment in UTK nuclear engineering and ORNL global nuclear security.
Yilu Liu is an expert in the technologies used to monitor power grids. Her work will help to create the next-generation “smart grid.” Liu holds appointments in UTK electrical engineering and computer science and ORNL energy and transportation science.
Alexei Sokolov uses a variety of tools, including powerful lasers and neutrons, to understand and control the properties of unique polymer materials. His joint appointment is in UTK chemistry and ORNL chemical sciences.
Robert Williams studies the genetics of central nervous system diseases and addictions. He holds appointments in UT Health Science Center anatomy and neurobiology and collaborates with ORNL biosciences.
Jeremy Smith applies neutron science and high-performance computational simulation to studies of bioenergetics and structural change in proteins. He holds appointments in UTK biochemistry and cellular and molecular biology and ORNL life sciences.
Thomas Zawodzinski, a physical chemist, studies electrochemistry and transport in energy conversion and storage devices. His joint appointment is in UTK chemical and biomolecular engineering and ORNL materials science and technology.
As originally conceived, the Governor’s Chair Program might ultimately support 40 appointments.