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Professor Anil Prinja appointed as inaugural interim chair of the new Department of Nuclear Engineering

May 8, 2014 - Karen Wentworth

Anil PrinjaDean of the School of Engineering Joseph Checchi appointed Professor Anil Prinja as inaugural interim chair of the new Department of Nuclear Engineering (NE), Prinja’s appointment begins July 1.

“Throughout his 27 years at UNM, Professor Prinja has contributed at all levels as an accomplished faculty member and as a leader in the Nuclear Engineering program, both within UNM and in the larger community," Cecchi said. “He has also been a principal architect of the new NE department. For all of these reasons and more, Professor Prinja is the right person to lead NE on its exciting new course. I am deeply appreciative that Professor Prinja has agreed to take on this important leadership role in the School.”

The University of New Mexico Faculty Senate voted on March 25 to approve the proposal to transition the Department of Chemical and Nuclear Engineering into two new departments: the Department of Nuclear Engineering and the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering. The transition is effective July 1.

Tim Ward, chair of the current Department of Chemical and Nuclear Engineering, announced his retirement, effective June 30. Last month, Cecchi announced that Distinguished Professor Abhaya K. Datye will be inaugural chair of the new Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering. His appointment also begins July 1.