Paul Ohodnicki has taken the helm as the permanent director of the Center for Energy at the University of Pittsburgh’s Swanson School of Engineering, heralding a new era in interdisciplinary energy research and innovation. This transition was officially announced by Michele V. Manuel, the U.S. Steel Dean of Engineering, marking a strategic shift in leadership from Heng Ban, who stepped into the role of Interim Associate Dean for Research in late 2025. Ohodnicki’s appointment highlights the university’s commitment to expanding its influence in the energy sector by leveraging a multi-disciplinary approach that spans engineering, sciences, law, business, and public policy.
The Center for Energy at the University of Pittsburgh exemplifies a comprehensive, university-wide collaborative effort to confront the complex challenges of energy production, storage, and sustainability. This initiative integrates expertise from roughly 100 faculty members drawn from an array of departments, facilitating a dynamic research ecosystem. By bridging fields such as mechanical engineering, materials science, economics, and legal frameworks, the center aims to foster cutting-edge solutions that address evolving energy markets, technologies, and environmental imperatives.
Ohodnicki’s unique background, combining engineering science and economics, positions him as an ideal figure to galvanize cross-sectoral collaboration. His academic journey began with a bachelor’s degree in economics and a Bachelor of Philosophy in engineering science at Pitt, followed by graduate studies in materials science and engineering at Carnegie Mellon University. These credentials underpin a deep understanding of both the technical and economic dimensions of energy technology development.
Adding to his academic expertise, Ohodnicki boasts significant experience in applied research and development roles within industry and governmental laboratories. His tenure at PPG Industries epitomizes his practical oriented approach, while his leadership stint at the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) reflects his capability to steer federally funded research programs. At NETL, he led teams focused on developing advanced optical and microwave sensors, magnetic materials optimized for high-frequency applications, and power electronics designed for transformer-based solar photovoltaic systems and energy storage inverter technologies.
The Pittsburgh region’s historical significance as a powerhouse of energy innovation is a pivotal backdrop to Ohodnicki’s vision for the Center for Energy. He envisions the university playing an instrumental role in bolstering Pennsylvania’s status at the national energy forefront by strengthening ties among industry pioneers, government agencies, and academic researchers. This strategy is aimed at not only propelling advanced energy research but also facilitating technology deployment and cultivating a workforce proficient in next-generation energy systems.
Within the Swanson School, Ohodnicki directs a research group focused on electromagnetic and photonic materials with direct implications for energy and power applications. The group’s research is characterized by innovative processing techniques that harness electromagnetic fields to engineer high-frequency magnetic materials, critical for enhancing the performance and efficiency of power magnetics components. These materials are foundational to devices such as inductors, transformers, and motors used in renewable energy systems and smart grid technologies.
In addition to his research leadership, Ohodnicki oversees the Engineering Science Program, which fosters interdisciplinary education and research at the intersection of engineering and physical sciences. He also spearheads the INfrastructure Sensing for Intelligent Transportation and Energy Systems (INSITES) Consortium, an initiative that aims to develop intelligent sensing technologies to optimize energy use and infrastructure management. Furthermore, he co-founded the Advanced Magnetics for Power and Energy Development (AMPED) Consortium, which accelerates the translation of magnetic materials research into commercial power electronics innovations.
Ohodnicki’s prolific innovation portfolio includes over 40 patents in areas spanning sensor technology, magnetic materials, and power electronics. He channels this inventiveness into his role as co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of CorePower Magnetics, a company focused on producing high-performance inductors, transformers, and electric motors. CorePower is strategically located at the Energy Innovation Center, serving as a hub for translating academic research into real-world energy solutions.
His contributions have garnered exceptional recognition, including the prestigious Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers in 2016. He is also a recipient of the 2017 Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Promising Innovations Medal and has earned seven R&D 100 Awards—a testament to the impact and innovation of his research and technological developments, with four of these accolades awarded during his tenure as a faculty member at the University of Pittsburgh.
The strategic vision underpinning Ohodnicki’s leadership at the Center for Energy involves a multifaceted approach to energy challenges. This includes advancing the frontier of sensing technologies, improving energy conversion efficiency through novel magnetic materials, and supporting sustainable energy integration into power grids. His interdisciplinary insight enables the Center not only to pursue foundational science but also to address policies and market forces shaping the future energy landscape.
As global energy systems rapidly evolve, the role of academic institutions in pioneering sustainable and smart energy technologies becomes ever more critical. The Center for Energy, under Ohodnicki’s stewardship, is poised to harness Pittsburgh’s historic and emerging assets to drive technology innovation, economic development, and workforce readiness, cementing its position as a national leader in energy research and education in the decades to come.
Through collaborative efforts spanning engineering, science, policy, and business, the Center is uniquely positioned to tackle pressing issues related to energy resource management, renewable integration, and grid resilience. With its diverse faculty expertise and strategic partnerships, the Center embodies a comprehensive research environment designed to cultivate breakthrough innovations in energy science and technology.
Looking forward, the leadership transition and strategic agenda at the Center signal a robust commitment to addressing complex energy challenges through science-driven solutions. By fostering innovation ecosystems that unite academia, industry, and government stakeholders, the University of Pittsburgh’s Center for Energy stands at the forefront of advancing sustainable energy future, both regionally and nationally.
Subject of Research: Not applicable
Image Credits: Swanson School of Engineering
Keywords
Energy, Electricity, Alternating current, Direct current, Research programs, Energy resources, Electrical power, Energy storage, Nuclear engineering
