ECE Powers Up with New Appointments
Electricity is an essential part of everyday life and economic vitality. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the country is expected to reach a record high in electricity usage for 2024. To bolster its foundation in this field - dating to 1893 - the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering made significant and strategic faculty promotions and hires.
Brandon Grainger, Eaton Faculty and associate director of the Energy GRID Institute at Pitt, was promoted to tenured associate professor and will welcome Professors Fang Peng and YuAnn Li from Florida State University this fall to advance the department’s efforts in the field of electric power engineering research and education. The announcement was made by Alan George, R&H Mickle Endowed Chair and Professor and Department Chair of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
“These faculty members alongside others in the department will provide Pitt’s Swanson School of Engineering with one of the nation’s strongest faculty groups in the field of electric power,” George said. “Our department was founded in 1893 in part by George Westinghouse, one of the pioneers and original drivers for electric power. Thus, it is altogether appropriate that we grow and feature our education and research in electric power systems, given the rich history in Pittsburgh and our program.”
Brandon Grainger
Grainger has been part of the forefront of the electric power engineering program since joining Pitt in 2009 as a graduate student. Since 2020 he has led the Energy Grid Institute and provided support to its strategic vision and research pursuits. Grainger also partnered with Paul Ohodnicki, professor of mechanical engineering and material science at Pitt, to establish the Advanced Magnetics for Power and Energy Development (AMPED) Consortium, which couples soft magnetic materials engineering with high power, power electronics design and magnetic components.
“Being granted tenure shows the long-term commitment to me as an engineer and also to the area of electric power engineering by Pitt,” Grainger said. “Having helped to build the electric power program at the University from the beginning that now has regional and national reputation, it is now time to aggressively foster an international, multidisciplinary reputation where students come to be equipped to handle all electrification challenges focused on electrical equipment and system design.”
Fang Peng
Peng is a well-respected author in electric power research and leader in power conversion technology. He will be appointed RK Mellon Endowed Chair when he arrives at Pitt.
Prior to Pitt, Peng, an expert in power electronics, served as a distinguished professor of engineering at Florida State University and was part of its Center for Advanced Power Systems, a “multidisciplinary research center organized to perform basic and applied research to advance the field of power systems technology.”
His research on multilevel inverters for static synchronous compensator (STATCOM) applications has provided essential power electronics tools for improving power flow capability and dynamic stability of transmission and distribution networks. Many STATCOM installations are still widely used across the world and incorporate his patented innovations.
“Peng is not only a pioneer in the field, but world renowned for his work and research of high-voltage, high-power converter technology and its applications to power grids,” George said. “He will take Pitt to new heights.”
Peng’s achievements span more than 30 years with his most recent being named to the National Academy of Inventors. His career in industry led him to his fruitful exploration into research. From 2000 to 2018, Peng served as a University Distinguished Professor at Michigan State University, the most prestigious ranking designated by the university’s Board of Trustees. He also led projects for the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and as the principal scientist with the Power Electronics and Electric Machinery Research Center.
“I am truly honored and thrilled to join Pitt’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering,” Peng said. “I will work closely with my colleagues and do my utmost to contribute to its next-level success, particularly in the area of electric power and energy.”
YuAnn Li
Li is a rising star in the field and will be joining Pitt as a tenure-track assistant professor.
Li worked alongside Peng at Florida State University and its Center for Advanced Power Systems as an assistant professor. Li has received nine awards for both her teaching and research, including Power System Technology (in Chinese) Journal's High Influence Paper Award for "DC Power Grid and DC Transmission" and was nominated for “Best Faculty” by graduating students at Florida State University. Her student feedback said, “Details explanation of concepts, provides practical insight of application in concepts. Evaluates understanding of these concepts explained by students' feedback."
In her career, Li has been part of 15 research publications with the most recent being “Control Development and Fault Current Communication Test for the Edison Hybrid Circuit Breaker” for the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.
Her current research focuses on photovoltaic inverters, impedance converters and solar power generation forecasts.
“I am deeply honored to join Pitt's Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering,” Li said. “Pittsburgh is an incredible city, renowned as the birthplace and flourishing hub of the legendary electric industry. The University stands at the cutting edge of technology and innovation, research and education and fosters diverse collaborations. Inspired by peers at the Swanson School, I eagerly anticipate continuing my work in electrical power systems and electronics.”