Miles Greiner, professor of mechanical engineering, has been named Interim Director of the University of Nevada, Reno's Renewable Energy Center. Greiner has been a faculty member of the College of Engineering since 1986. 

"The center needs an interim director in order to continue the pursuit of its strategic goal to contribute to the University's national prominence in the renewable energy area," said Manos Maragakis, Dean of engineering. "Dr. Greiner is an accomplished researcher and educator, with major contributions in energy related research. I am glad he accepted the responsibility and I am confident that, with his new ideas and energy, he will contribute to the achievement of the center's goals."

Greiner will fill the position during the 2011-2012 academic year while the Center searches for a new permanent director. He will be responsible for communication between the deans of the colleges of engineering, science, business, and agriculture as well as to University staff who teach, conduct research and provide professional service related to renewable energy.

"I'd like the Center to help Nevada utilize its natural renewable energy resources, develop a pool of local experts in the field, and attract people to the State who are interested in developing sustainable energy solutions," said Greiner. "I hope the REC will encourage and facilitate larger groups of professors and outside professionals to come together to pursue interdisciplinary research projects. I believe that bringing together bright, dedicated people who don't normally work together can bring new expertise and points of view to find solutions."

The participating colleges and the Center expressed their thanks to the previous director, Mano Misra, for his contributions to the Center's advancement over the past couple of years.

The University has conducted renewable energy research for more than 10 years. The Renewable Energy Center focuses teaching and service efforts and coordinates programs for competitive research with plans to increase Nevada's national stature in the renewable energy field, including geothermal, biomass, hydrogen energy and solar. The REC collaboration primarily focuses on the work of four colleges within the university: Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources; Business; Engineering; and Science.

For more information, visit the Renewable Energy Center.