Dimitris E. Nikitopoulos Named Permanent ME Department Chair
Following a national search, Dimitris E. Nikitopoulos, Richard J. & Katherine J. Juneau Distinguished Professor, Alexis and Marguerite Voorhies Endowed Professor, has been named chairman of the Department of Mechanical Engineering (ME), effective July 1. "We are delighted Dr. Nikitopoulos will be leading the ME department. His distinguished academic record and reputation as an outstanding educator made him the top candidate among a strong group of candidates from around the country," said College of Engineering Dean Rick Koubek.
A native of Athens, Greece, Nikitopoulos received his bachelor's degree in mechanical and electrical engineering from the National Technical University of Athens in June 1980. He achieved his M.S. in engineering June 1982, and his Ph.D. in engineering in1986, both from Brown University.
His research interests include turbulent dispersed two-phase flows, spray and mist-systems, fire suppression, micro-fluidics, laser flow diagnostics, internal turbine blade cooling, non-linear stability analysis, direct numerical simulations, coaxial jet flows, flow control and mixing enhancement. Nikitopoulos' areas of specialization include: experimental and numerical fluid dynamics, multiphase flow, and laser diagnostics.
Speaking of his recent chair appointment, Nikitopoulos said, "This department has been close to my heart and has been my professional family for twenty four years. I am privileged to have been chosen by the faculty and the Dean to guide it in its journey towards becoming a hub for economic development, a leader in research and 'a world class educational opportunity' (quoting Andy Pilney, Alumnus and Industrial Advisory Board member from Shell). I look forward to working closely with everyone who shares this vision to reach these destinations for the benefit of the citizens of our State."
Nikitopoulos received the Louisiana Engineering Foundation Professionalism Award of the LA Engineering Society in 2009; has been principal or co-principal investigator in more than 26 Federal grants, totaling over $30million and 22 State/Industry grants, totaling more than $4 million. He has authored or co-authored 113 peer-reviewed articles, 46 on multi-phase flows, 40 in gas turbine technology/aerodynamics, and 37 about micro-fluidics/BioMEMS.
In June 2008, Nikitopoulos accepted the appointment of interim chairman for the ME Department. During his tenure at LSU, he has served as chair of the ME Thermo-Fluids Group, ME Graduate Studies Committee, ME Scholarship, Alumni and Industrial Relations Committee. He has served as a member of the ME Promotion and Tenure Committee, Promotion and Tenure Committee for the Craft & Hawkins Department of Petroleum Engineering, College of Engineering Research Faculty Policy Committee, College of Engineering Experimental Station Planning Committee, Advisory Committee to the Office of Research and Economic Development; and as member elect for the College of Engineering Promotion and Tenure Committee.
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Article by Mimi LaValle, LSU College of Engineering, 225-578-5706, mlavall@lsu.edu