Pitt Grad Cugini Named Director of DOE's National Energy Technology Laboratory, Based in Pittsburgh Region

Anthony V. Cugini, a senior scientist with a range of research experience and interests over a wide cross section of energy and environmental technologies, has been named director of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), which is based in the Pittsburgh region. He succeeds Carl O. Bauer, who retired from the post in January 2010.

Cugini, who has been with NETL since 1987, created and directed the lab’s Computational and Basic Sciences Focus Area from 2001-2007; served as division director of the Fuels and Process Chemistry Division from 1999-2001; and served as a research chemical engineer with DOE’s Pittsburgh Energy Technology Center, a predecessor of NETL, from 1987-1999. Previous to joining the lab, he worked at Gulf Oil Corp. and Procter and Gamble. He has B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in chemical engineering from the University of Pittsburgh.

NETL is a national laboratory operated by DOE’s Office of Fossil Energy (FE), with some 1,200 Federal and contractor employees in Pittsburgh, Pa.; Morgantown, W.Va.; Houston, Texas; Albany, Ore.; and Fairbanks, Alaska. Its primary mission is to develop new technologies and approaches that will ensure the safe, clean, and affordable use of U.S. fossil energy resources through the 21st century, including carbon capture and storage (CCS); advanced generation technology for both new and existing coal-based power plants; and advanced research on novel concepts.

Cugini's background includes expertise in a number of key energy and environmental research and development (R&D) areas, including catalyst development, advanced carbon synthesis, hydrogen production and separation, gas hydrates, and CO2 sequestration and computational modeling. His 23-year career at NETL includes serving since Jan. 1, 2010 as the lab’s acting director and, prior to that, overseeing its Office of Research and Development (ORD) since 2007. In that capacity, he supervised an organization with over 400 personnel at three NETL locations, which included cutting-edge research and computer simulations conducted onsite as well as that performed through partnerships, cooperative research and development agreements, financial assistance, and contractual arrangements with universities and the private sector.

In announcing the appointment, Energy Secretary Dr. Steven Chu said Cugini’s background provides "an excellent combination of leadership abilities, scientific and research expertise, understanding of key technical challenges in clean energy, and familiarity with NETL’s programs, personnel, and capabilities. Dr. Cugini’s outstanding career at the laboratory, including his most recent service as acting director, has demonstrated a clear ability to continue NETL’s important mission at a high level of achievement and accomplishment. I look forward to the lab’s continued progress and success under his leadership as we move forward."

For more information, go to www.netl.doe.gov.