Obama nominates Indian-American to key administration post

Washington, Nov 30: US President Barack Obama has nominated Indian-American Arun Majumdar to a key administration post in the Department of Energy.

An IIT-Mumbai alumni, Majumdar has been nominated as the US Under Secretary of Energy, the White House announced today (Nov 30) along with other nominations by the US President.

"These men and women have demonstrated knowledge and dedication throughout their careers. I am grateful they have chosen to take on these important roles, and I look forward to working with them in the months and years to come," Obama said. Majumdar has served as the Director of the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) since 2009.

Previously, he was Associate Laboratory Director for Energy and Environment at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and a professor of mechanical engineering and materials science and engineering at the University of California, Berkeley.

His research career has focused on the science and engineering of energy conversion, transport, and storage, ranging from the molecular and nanoscale level to large energy systems.

He has served on the advisory committee of the National Science Foundation's engineering directorate and the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology.

Majumdar was elected a member of the National Academy of Engineering in 2005.

He received his Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai in 1985 and his Ph.D. In 1989 from the University of California, Berkeley.

PTI