Louisiana Tech University has named Randal E. Null, Ph.D. as the next director for its Institute for Micromanufacturing (IfM), a world-class research facility for micro and nanoscale science and engineering located on Tech’s campus in Ruston. Prior to coming to Tech, Null held high level executive positions with the Department of Homeland Security, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Phoenix’s Sky Harbor Airport, Intel Corporation, Microchip Technology, Fairchild Semiconductor, and Texas Instruments.  He has expertise in risk-based solutions, strategic marketing, and product development, in areas of security technology. “The diversity and interdisciplinary nature of Dr. Null’s education, training, and experience is extremely attractive to us,” says Stan Napper, dean of Louisiana Tech’s College of Engineering and Science.  “The College of Engineering and Science has cultivated a strong interdisciplinary research culture through its research centers.” “With Dr. Null at the helm of the Institute for Micromanufacturing, we expect this culture to flourish and expand in new directions.” Null officially assumed the Institute’s directorship on April 1. Since 1991, the IfM has been a leader in cutting-edge research, producing innovations that have contributed to strengthening the economies and communities of north Louisiana.  The Institute for Micromanufacturing has over 25 faculty and postdoctoral scholars and over 100 students specializing in a wide range of science and engineering fields. Through the IfM, Tech has been ranked in the top ten of universities nationally for education and commercialization in micro/nanotechnology, receiving multiple international awards for research and publications and attracting some of the nation’s most accomplished scientists to the region. Null has led workforces from 150 to 50,000, in both domestic and international markets, and managed annual budgets of between $150M and $3B.  He has held leadership and operations positions in manufacturing, information systems, and systems engineering for several industry-leading electronic systems companies.  His work for the TSA since the 9-11 attacks has made him a highly sought-after security systems consultant by US firms and foreign governments. Louisiana Tech and the Institute for Micromanufacturing gains Null’s expertise in mechanical systems automation, product engineering management, information and data systems, manufacturing systems technology, marketing and design engineering, equipment interfacing, communication and security, systems integration and networking, material and package production, commercial development and company start-up, as well as operational process optimization and performance metrics. Null received his B.S. and Ph.D. degrees from Louisiana Tech University and held dual post-doctoral appointments in Anesthesiology and Biomedical Engineering with the University of Virginia prior to joining Texas Instruments. In addition to director of IfM, he will also serve as a professor of Biomedical Engineering and as the Entergy/Cordaro Distinguished Professor. Written by Catherine Fraser – cfraser@latech.edu