Georgia Tech names new research director

Georgia Tech announced Thursday it has a new executive vice president for research, one of the most critical roles at the institution.

Chaouki T. Abdallah, currently provost and executive vice president for academic affairs at the University of New Mexico, will direct Georgia Tech’s $824 million research program. He will move into the role in mid-August, succeeding Stephen E. Cross, who is stepping down after serving as Tech’s first executive vice president for research for the past eight years.

He has received research funding from the National Science Foundation, the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, other national laboratories and various companies, Tech officials said. Abdallah is a Tech grad with master’s and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering.

“Dr. Abdallah has a proven track record as an administrator, scholar and researcher, along with experience collaborating with industry, government and community partners,” said Georgia Tech President G.P. “Bud” Peterson. “As a Tech alumnus who has remained engaged with the Institute, he brings a unique perspective. We’re looking forward to working with him to enhance Georgia Tech’s basic and applied research and maximize economic impact.”

In other Education news:

The AJC Cup recognizes outstanding students in the metro Atlanta area. 10 of this year's winners are headed to historically black colleges and universities. From the future students Spelman to Alabama A&M, they've already shown incredible achievement. Congratulations to all!

About the Author

Lovett School gets ‘historic’ $30 million gift from Rollins family

The gift honors the oldest child of Randall and Peggy Rollins, who died in 1970.

Some Decatur parents feel blindsided by school plans, few details

Aggravation brews over lack of specifics and what some see as poor communication.

Full circle: Sisters who were APS students now serve as APS principals

Sisters Kristy Reese and Kimberly Gibbs spent 12 years in Atlanta Public Schools and now educate others in the same system as school principals.

The Latest

Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com

Lovett School gets ‘historic’ $30 million gift from Rollins family

Full circle: Sisters who were APS students now serve as APS principals

Some Decatur parents feel blindsided by school plans, few details

Featured

Credit: Arvin Temkar / AJC

Lt. Gov. Burt Jones scores another victory over use of campaign cash

Lt. Gov. Burt Jones appears to have scored another victory over Attorney General Chris Carr as the Republican gubernatorial candidates battle over campaign finance issues.

Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr.’s season is over; needs surgery to repair ACL

Michael Penix Jr., whom the Falcons hoped was their quarterback of the future, will undergo season-ending surgery to repair a partially torn ACL in his left knee.

Typewriter Tom fuels a growing interest in analog writing devices

Roswell's Tom Rehkopf owns about 1,000 typewriters, which he tinkers with at his workshop and happily shares with fellow aficionados, curious youngsters and even Tom Hanks.