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UNT taps prominent researcher to lead engineering department
DENTON (UNT), Texas -- A renowned researcher with close to 30 years of experience in laser science and engineering will take the helm of the University of North Texas' Department of Materials Science and Engineering this year. Dr. Narendra B. Dahotre comes from the University of Tennessee, where he was a professor in materials science and engineering and director of the Laboratory for Laser Material Synthesis and Fabrication. He also had a joint faculty appointment at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. As one of the preeminent laser experts in the world, Dahotre has worked extensively with the automotive and aerospace industries to use lasers in the development of durable, temperature-resistant materials. Dahotre began studying lasers in the early 1980s when scientists were just beginning to explore the nascent technology. At that time, it was used mostly as a diagnostic tool for materials. Throughout his career, Dahotre has been instrumental in developing methods to use lasers to fabricate and synthesize materials. "Lasers are very exciting to me," he said. "They are such unique, highly precise tools with limitless possibilities." Since then, he has developed a world-class laser facility at the University of Tennessee and written three books and about 200 scientific papers. In addition, he has 15 U.S. patents in the field of laser materials processing. Dahotre decided he wanted to use that research experience to lead a department while also maintaining his research laboratory. He chose UNT's College of Engineering because he said he sees enormous potential for growth and success. Among his goals are to turn UNT's Department of Materials Science and Engineering into a world-class program that regularly ranks in the top 50 among its university peers, to increase research funding and to increase undergraduate and graduate enrollment. "There is so much room to grow here," Dahotre said. "We have tremendous support from the administration and a tremendous infrastructure already in place." Dr. Costas Tsatsoulis, dean of the College of Engineering, said Dahotre will be an excellent fit at UNT. "I am pleased to welcome Dr. Dahotre to UNT. He brings to UNT an impressive track record of research in high-temperature coatings and laser-based surface engineering," Tsatsoulis said. "His administrative experience as director of the Laboratory for Laser Material Synthesis and Fabrication will help accelerate our Department of Materials Science and Engineering in attaining its ambitious research and educational objectives. I am looking forward to working with Dr. Dahotre." Dahotre is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Society for Materials, American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the Indian Institute of Metals. He received his bachelor's degree from the University of Poona in India and his graduate and doctoral degrees from Michigan State University.
UNT News Service Phone Number: (940) 565-2108
Contact: Sarah Bahari (940) 565-4835
Email: sarah.bahari@unt.edu
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