New Director Appointed to Lead UCI Division

G.P. Li, a UCI engineering professor, has been named director of the UC Irvine division of Calit2, effective April 1, 2007, replacing Albert Yee, who is returning to his research and teaching activities.

Li, who is a professor of electrical engineering and computer science; biomedical engineering; and chemical engineering and materials science, is also director of the Integrated Nanosystems Research Facility, which is dedicated to the development of small-scale systems, and he leads the LifeChips graduate program, focused on micro- and nanotechnology in the life sciences.

"I look forward to becoming part of the dynamic Calit2 team," said Li. "I am enthusiastic about taking on this new position and continuing the encouragement of innovative research, supporting student and faculty technological advancements, and providing an environment that promotes interdisciplinary collaboration."

Yee, who has been UC Irvine's Calit2 director since January 2004, has made numerous contributions to the institute. He presided over the opening of the 120,000-square-foot Calit2 building in November 2004, doubled the number of faculty participating in the institute and increased industry and student participation in institute activities. During his tenure, the institute received a number of large grants and developed new facilities, including the Zeiss Center of Excellence, the HIPerWall and other breakthrough visualization technologies. Additionally, Yee laid a solid foundation for multi-disciplinary collaborations across campus, initiated an undergraduate research program and expanded the graduate fellows program. In addition, he increased the visibility of the UCI division by introducing Interface, the division's quarterly magazine.

Currently, several new Calit2 initiatives spearheaded by Yee are under way, including telemedicine outreach and research, and the development of nano-manufacturing, one of his research areas in which he will continue to be active.

"I'm proud of our many accomplishments at Calit2@UCI during the past three years," Yee said. "I'm looking forward to returning to teaching and research, and I'm confident that the institute will continue to make great strides under Dr. Li's guidance."

by Anna Lynn Spitzer