SRNL Establishes Joint Appointment with the University of South Carolina

Savannah River National Laboratory and the University of South Carolina announced the joint appointment of Dr. Sirivatch Shimpalee, who was among the pioneers in the development of three-dimensional models for fuel cells which advanced the understanding of flow and electrochemical behavior.

“We are happy that Dr. Shimpalee is joining USC’s growing ranks of SRNL joint appointees. He will further strengthen our already strong collaborations on topics within the field of chemical engineering, which is a key discipline for the laboratory,” said USC Vice Dean of Engineering and Computing Mike Matthews, who also serves as associate vice president for research and national laboratory relations.

Shimpalee, whose research focuses on renewable energy technologies including fuel cells, electrolyzers, energy storage, high-temperature thermal systems and bioenergy, currently leads multiple projects funded by the U.S. Department of Energy through collaborations with SRNL, industry partners, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory, industry partners, the University of California-Irvine, West Virginia University and North Carolina State University.

“It is a true honor to receive a joint appointment with SRNL,” said Shimpalee. “This recognition reflects the value of the expertise I’ve contributed to SRNL projects and highlights the importance of developing students with skills aligned to the lab’s mission. This appointment not only strengthens the collaborative bridge between USC and SRNL but also opens new opportunities to engage more deeply with SRNL’s research teams and leadership. I look forward to leveraging this partnership to advance impactful research and contribute to workforce development that benefits both institutions.”

Shimpalee received his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from USC in 2001.

“Dr. Shimpalee has built a very strong research program in computational fluid dynamics modeling applied to a range of energy-related applications,” said Christopher T. Williams, USC professor and chair of the Department of Chemical Engineering. “This joint appointment with SRNL will allow him to strengthen and expand his already extensive collaborations with various research groups at the lab, while also advancing SRNL’s ties with the Department of Chemical Engineering here at USC.”

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. 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.