Renu Khator, president of the University of Houston (UH), has appointed dow chair professor Ramanan Krishnamoorti as a special assistant to the president and chancellor for UH Energy, a collection of the university’s preeminent energy research and education programs.

Krishnamoorti will lead UH’s efforts to develop a strategic plan for UH Energy involving education and training, research and the expansion of UH’s Energy Research Park.

In recent years, UH has identified energy as a key strategic focus for research and teaching. The overall vision for UH Energy and the Energy Research Park is to build a premier research and education facility for students and faculty as well as establish a unique environment for the best minds to forge new business approaches to the way energy is created, delivered and used.

UH Energy encompasses UH engineering, law, business, natural sciences and technology. These researchers and educators help shape energy policy and forge new business approaches in the energy industry. They also educate the innovators of tomorrow by providing a dynamic environment for students and faculty.

Additionally, Krishnamoorti will work closely with the UH Energy advisory board, a distinguished panel of global industry leaders to build a vibrant partnership with industry.

For the past four and a half years, Krishnamoorti has been department chair of the UH Cullen College of Engineering’s chemical and biomolecular engineering department. He has stepped down as department chair to assume the newly created special assistant’s position. Mike Harold, M.D. Anderson professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering, has been named the new department chair.