Garimella steps up as next U of A president

On Oct. 1, University Distinguished Professor of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering Suresh Garimella became the 23rd president of the University of Arizona. Garimella said he hopes to bring a period of stability to the university, seeking input from employee and student governance groups, as well as alumni, donors and the regents.

"The research at a university is done by and facilitated by our faculty, our staff and our graduate students, our postdocs and undergraduates, and so they are critical part of this vibrant campus community, and I look forward to building strong relationships and partnerships, because nothing that we work on together is beyond our reach," he said.

Garimella has mentored more than 90 graduate students and 50 post-doctoral scholars, 29 of whom hold prestigious faculty positions around the world. A highly cited researcher, he has made significant contributions in electronics thermal management and energy efficiency at micro and nano scales, and in sustainable energy systems technology and policy. He has co-authored more than 625 research publications and 16 issued patents.

"Students are the heartbeat of any university, you will see me focused on students much more than anything else," he said.

The Arizona Board of Regents voted unanimously to appoint Garimella as the university's next president, who previously served as president of the University of Vermont.