AIKEN, SC – Savannah River National Laboratory and the University of Delaware recently announced the joint appointment of Srikanth Pilla, associate dean for research and the director of the Center for Composite Materials in the College of Engineering at the university.
“I am honored by this joint appointment with Savannah River National Laboratory,” said Pilla. “This role offers a unique opportunity to advance cutting-edge composites research and contribute to the vision of the Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative. I look forward to working closely with SRNL’s talented teams to accelerate innovation in next-generation materials and manufacturing technologies that support national priorities.”
Pilla holds faculty appointments in mechanical engineering, chemical and biomolecular engineering, materials science and engineering as well as computer and information sciences. He is the founding director of AIM for Composites, a Department of Energy-funded Energy Frontier Research Center. Pilla also co-directs IDeAS Composites, a National Science Foundation research traineeship program focused on training next-generation composite leaders.
We are delighted that Dr. Pilla has been selected for this joint appointment with Savannah River National Laboratory,” said University of Delaware Vice President for Research, Scholarship and Innovation Miguel Garcia-Diaz. “National labs are at the forefront of scientific innovation in the U.S., and this appointment reflects the impact of Dr. Pilla’s research. UD’s partnership with SRNL underscores the strong alignment between the University of Delaware’s research strengths and the nation’s scientific priorities. We look forward to the discoveries that will emerge from this collaboration.”
SRNL’s Joint Appointment Program is designed to enhance collaboration between SRNL and U.S. academic institutions, foster innovation and help build the technical workforce of the future.
Srikanth Pilla
“The world’s most pressing challenges require an interdisciplinary approach and partnerships across academia and industry, and the national laboratories are essential to accelerate innovation and address critical challenges that can only be tackled with their unique resources,” said Dean Pamela Norris of the University of Delaware College of Engineering.
Joint appointees serve as a vital bridge connecting laboratory researchers, students and academic faculty to accelerate scientific discovery and support the Department of Energy’s national mission.
“Dr. Pilla always has a finger on the pulse of next generation manufacturing using tools such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and digital twinning. He brings extensive expertise that underpins the vision and mission of the Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative,” said SRNL Scientist Matthew Craps.
About Savannah River National Laboratory Savannah River National Laboratory is a multi-program federally funded research and development center managed and operated by Battelle Savannah River Alliance, LLC (BSRA), for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Environmental Management. (www.srnl.gov)
Media contact: SRNL Media Relations