Nancey Green Leigh is a Professor in the School of City and Regional Planning and adviser for the economic development planning, working with masters and doctoral students. Maintaining an active research program, Leigh is currently leading a project entitled "Workers, Firms and Industries in Robotic Regions," funded by the National Science Foundation's Robotics Initiative. She previously led a large scale research effort by three universities focused on sustainable industrial systems for urban regions. Both of these efforts as well as other funded research (brownfields, urban land and manufacturing, resilient infrastructure) contribute to Leigh's long term focus on advancing sustainable development for local and regional economies. As Associate Dean for Research, Leigh is focused on strengthening the research impact of the College of Design. She develops and administers competitive initiatives to support individual and collaborative research by college faculty and affiliated researchers. She oversees the college's seven major research units. She also is engaged in building research connections within Georgia Tech between the College of Design, other colleges and Interdisciplinary Research Institutes, as well as to external funders and collaborators in the public, private and nonprofit sectors. Leigh has published more than 60 articles and four books, Routledge Handbook of International Planning Education (2019 with S.P. French, S. Guhathakurta, and B. Stiftel), Planning Local Economic Development, 6th edition (2017 with E.J. Blakely) adopted for courses in a wide array of universities; Economic Revitalization: Cases and Strategies for City and Suburb (2002 with J. Fitzgerald); and Stemming Middle Class Decline: The Challenge to Economic Development Planning (1994). She was co-editor of the Journal of Planning Education and Research from 2012 to 2016, and was elected a Fellow of the American Institute of Certified Planners in 2008.

Miguel Granier served as a distinguished external fellow of the Strategic Energy Institute in 2024-2025, and is currently the managing director of Cox Cleantech Accelerator by gener8tor. He has nearly two decades of experience financing businesses from startup to growth stage. As the founder/managing director of Invested Development (ID) and the Impact Factoring Fund (IFF), and founding investment manager for First Light Ventures, he led investments in dozens of startups across nine countries and three continents. Miguel began his career in finance as a loan officer for the global micro-finance organization ACCION and has worked for the insurance giant Fidelity National Financial in New York and the Delter Business Institute in Beijing, China. 

Miguel holds or has held board positions at more than a dozen start-ups, including Growing Energy Labs, Inc (acquired by Hanwha/Q-Cells), Simpa Networks (acquired by Engie), OnFarm (acquired by SWIIM Systems), and iHub (acquired by ccHub). He has also served on the boards of several non-profit organizations, including Greentown Labs, Village Capital, and Global Growers Network. 

Miguel has earned two Masters’ degrees from Georgia Tech in City and Regional Planning and Sustainable Energy and Environmental Management. In addition, he has been an adjunct faculty at the Monterrey Institute of International Studies, Northeastern University, and Georgia Tech. 

Lukas Graber received his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering from ETH Zurich in 2002 and 2009 respectively. He conducted the experimental part of his M.S. research project on transient recovery voltage in the high voltage laboratories of Bonneville Power Administration, Portland, Oregon. His Ph.D. research focused on SF6 leakage detection in gas insulated switchgear and was awarded with the ETG Innovation Prize. Before he joined Georgia Tech in 2015, he worked several years at the Center for Advanced Power System, Florida State University - initially as a post-doctoral research associate and later as a research faculty member. His focus was on superconducting power cables and fault current limiters, ultra-fast mechanical switchgear, short circuit forces in substations, and grounding aspects of power distribution on future all-electric Navy ships. He authored and coauthored 40+ publications in journals and conference proceedings and holds several patents. Besides fundamental and applied research projects, he is also interested in commercialization aspects of new technologies. He is a guest technical editor for special issues of the IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity. In his free time, he likes to tinker with audio electronics, play the trumpet, scuba dive in Floridian waters, and paraglide in mountain ranges around the world.

Education

• Dr. sc., Electrical Engineering, ETH Zürich, 2009
• Dipl. El.-Ing., Electrical Engineering, ETH Zürich, 2002

Research Interests

Graber's research focuses on advanced computer architecture and embedded systems, examining efficient hardware-software co-design and heterogeneous computing platforms. His work explores performance optimization, system reliability, and scalability in modern computing devices. The research program actively engages graduate and undergraduate students in developing novel methodologies to address challenges in high-performance and low-power computing environments.

Gas insulated switchgear High-speed vacuum switchgear High temperature superconductivity: Power systems applications Cryogenic dielectrics

Teaching Interests

Graber's teaching interests include foundational and advanced courses in electrical and computer engineering, with an emphasis on digital design, computer architecture, and systems integration. He is committed to providing rigorous undergraduate and graduate instruction that bridges theoretical concepts with practical applications. His teaching approach fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills essential for innovation in engineering disciplines.

Distinctions & Awards

ETG Innovation Prize 2010, Electrosuisse Best Paper Award 2009 , 2nd prize, SEV Bulletin Member, Electrosuisse Member, Cryogenics Society of America Senior Member, IEEE

Publications

• KY Chuong, Y Liu, T Forbes, MB Frye, L Graber, LM Garten, Determining the effect of bismuth oxide on the microstructure and electrical response of cold-sintered ZnO varistors, Journal of the American Ceramic Society 109(1), e70406, 2026
• Z Jin, AJC Feliciano, SM Neall, Y Liu, MS Al Hossain, M Pothuri, C Park, ..., Development of a Hydropneumatic Actuator for Supercritical Fluid Circuit Breakers, IEEE 70th Holm Conference on Electrical Contacts (HLM), 1-4, 2025
• Q Yang, A Llanos, K Schoder, L Graber, A Nonlinear Inductor-Based Near-Zero Current Sensing Method and Active Commutation Strategy for a Hybrid dc Circuit Breaker, ECCE 2025, 1-5, 2025
• Y Mo, AJC Feliciano, Z Jin, L Graber, B Ge, High Voltage-Rated, Supercritical CO2-Insulated Electrostatic Machine Concept, ECCE 2025, 1-8, 2025
• L Graber, S GHOSH, GJ Langston, T Uhrik, K Kalaitzidou, N STINGELIN, ..., Metal-organic thermoset polymers, US Patent App. 19/225,325, 2025

Samuel Graham is the Rae S. and Frank H. Neely Professor in the School of Mechanical Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology. He also holds an appointment in the School of Materials Science and Engineering at Georgia Tech and a joint appointment with the Energy and Transportation Science Division at Oak Ridge National Laboratories. His research focuses on the packaging and reliability of electronic devices ranging from wide bandgap semiconductors to flexible organic electronics and wearable sensors. His is a member of the Center for Organic Photonics and Electronics at Georgia Tech and a co-founder of the Heat Lab which provides thermal solutions for electronics packaging.

Seymour E. Goodman, Ph.D., joined the Georgia Tech faculty in 2000 as Professor of International Affairs and Computing and Co-Director of the Georgia Tech Information Security Center, jointly in the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs and the College of Computing. Prof. Goodman's research interests include international developments in the information technologies (IT), technology diffusion, IT and national security, critical infrastructure protection, and related public policy issues. Areas of geographic interest include the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, South and East Asia, and parts of Africa. Earlier research had been in areas of statistical and continuum physics, combinatorial algorithms, and software engineering. He is the author or co-author of about 150 publications in these subjects, and serves in various editorial capacities for several academic journals, including contributing editor for International Perspectives for the Communications of the ACM since 1990. He has served on numerous study and advisory committees for the ACM, the Departments of Commerce, Defense, and State, the US Congress, and the National Research Council. Prof. Goodman's work has been supported by almost three dozen funding sources, most recently by multi-year grants from the National Science Foundation and the MacArthur Foundation. He teaches several undergraduate and graduate courses in science and technology and national and international security.  In 2010, he was appointed to the Computer Science and Telecommunications Board of the National Research Council of the National Academies. Secondary research interests include the impact of S&T on the American Civil War, World War II, and the Cold War. Prof. Goodman was an undergraduate at Columbia University and obtained his Ph.D. from the California Institute of Technology.

Dr. Glezer began at Tech in 1992 as an Associate Professor. He was named to the Woodruff Chair in Thermal Systems in 2002. Prior, he was an Assistant and Associate Professor at the University of Arizona.

Teaching Interests

Professor Glezer's teaching interests encompass core mechanical engineering subjects at both undergraduate and graduate levels, including fluid mechanics, aerodynamics, heat transfer, and energy systems. His courses emphasize fundamental principles, analytical methods, and experimental techniques. He fosters an interactive learning environment and actively engages graduate and undergraduate students in research-driven projects to deepen their understanding of fluid dynamics and energy conversion.

Research Interests

Professor Glezer's research focuses on fluid mechanics and aerodynamics with an emphasis on flow control, fluid-structure interactions, and energy transport phenomena. His work explores the fundamental physics of turbulence, vortex dynamics, and aerodynamic performance enhancement, employing experimental and computational approaches to address challenges in aerodynamics, propulsion systems, energy systems, and thermal management.

Recent Publications

• Nichols, D. A., Vukasinovic, B., and Glezer, A., “On the Formation of a Ground Vortex In Crossflow,” J. Fluid Mech., 1012, 2025. 
• Peterson, C. J., Vukasinovic, B., and Glezer, A., “The Evolution and Scaling of Controlled Flow Separation at the Inlet of a Diverging Channel,” Exp. Fluids, 66, 2025. 
• Burrows, T.J., Vukasinovic, B., Glezer, A., Lakebrink, M.T., and Mani, M., “Controlled Flow in a Serpentine Diffuser with a Cowl Inlet,” J. Aircraft, 62, 2025.
• Vukasinovic, B., Funk, R. B., and Glezer, A., “Circulation Control using Arrays of Fluidically Oscillating Jets,” AIAA J., 63, 2025.
• Boziuk, T. R., Smith, M. K., and Glezer, A., “Dynamics of Vapor Bubble Condensation under Directional Ultrasonic Actuation,” Phys. Fluids, 35, 2023.

Biography:

Tony Giarrusso is a Principal Research Scientist and Associate Director of the Center for Spatial Planning Analytics and Visualization in the College of Design at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Ga. His teaching, research, and consulting activities focus on GIS-based planning solutions for land conservation, coastal and marine resource management, urban planning and environmental protection. Over the past twenty-four years, Mr. Giarrusso has been Principal Investigator or Co-Principal Investigator on more than 30 research projects, with research sponsors including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the State of Georgia (DNR and DHR), The Nature Conservancy, The Trust for Public Land, Morehouse School of Medicine, The Diane Fossey Gorilla Fund International, and the City of Atlanta. 

Apart from his research activities, Mr. Giarrusso has been an instructor at Georgia Tech for the last twenty-one years, primarily teaching introductory GIS classes to undergraduates.

Teaching Interest:

Professor Giarrusso's teaching is focused on Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, urban planning, and sustainable development. He primarily teaches at the undergraduate level. He is co-lead of the Rwanda Study Abroad in Sustainable Development, an embedded study abroad program offered during spring break. He also co-teaches a VIP class on Assistive Technologies in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Research Interest:

Professor Giarrusso's research interests is focused on the use of GIS and Remote Sensing as planning decision-support for local and state government, primarily focused on environmental and land use issues.

List of Recent Scholarly Work:

Recent Research Articles:

1. Alice Favero, Matthew Realff, Maria Lucas, Anthony Giarrusso, and Karl Lang (2023), Geo-Spatial Economic Assessment of the Potential Development of Bioenergy Combined with Direct Air Carbon Capture (BEDAC) in the USA.
Environmental Science & Technology 2023 57 (51), 21681-21690 https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.3c06975

2. Evans, Kathryn A.; Giarrusso, Anthony J.; and Zaparanick, David (2023), Perpetual Protection for Atlanta’s High-Quality Forested Land in the City, Cities and the Environment (CATE): Vol. 13: Iss. 1, Article 29.

3. Fahr, S., Powell, J., Favero, A., Giarrusso, A.J., Lively, R.P. and Realff, M.J. (2022), Assessing the physical potential capacity of direct air capture with integrated supply of low-carbon energy sources. Greenhouse Gas Sci Technol, 12: 170-188. https://doi.org/10.1002/ghg.2136

4. Portela G.T., Leong T., Webster A.,Giarrusso A.J., Fridkin S., Ray S., Swerdlow D. (2021), Immergluck L. Risk factors for non-invasive (skin and soft tissue) and invasive Staphylococcus aureus infections among children and adults living in southeastern USA: a retrospective cohort study BMJ https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/12/8/e059327.info

Recent Research Projects:

1. Georgia's Coastal Canopy - https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/a24f7f9055174d35adb15dab8116a734
2. Georgia's Changing Forest - https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/8a8fe7ff6b5d4113929d7a5f20044be6
3. Georgia Historic and Projected Land Cover Database - https://arcg.is/11bTaq
4. Thrive Regional Infrastructure Portal (TRIP) - https://trip-thrive-geohub.hub.arcgis.com/
5. Atlanta's Urban Tree Canopy - https://geospatial.gatech.edu/AtlantaUTC/
6. Georgia Wetlands Restoration Access Portal (G-WRAP) - https://geospatial.gatech.edu/G-WRAP/

Degrees with Year of Award:

Masters of City Planning (2000) -Georgia Institute of Technology    
Bachelor of Science in Biology (1993) - Georgia State University

Education

• Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles, 1983
• M.Sc., Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, University of London, England, 1978
• B.S., Aryamehr (Sharif) University of Technology, Tehran, Iran, 1977

Teaching Interests

Professor Ghiaasiaan’s teaching interests include undergraduate and graduate courses in thermodynamics, heat transfer, fluid mechanics, and multiphase flow. He emphasizes fundamental principles and their applications to energy systems, aiming to develop students’ analytical and problem-solving skills. His instruction integrates experimental, computational, and theoretical approaches, involving both undergraduate and graduate students in research-related activities.

Research Interests

Professor Ghiaasiaan’s research focuses on multiphase flow and heat transfer phenomena in energy systems and thermal management. His work addresses experimental and theoretical studies of cryogenics and cryocoolers, two-phase flows, boiling, condensation, and miniature scale transport processes, with applications in power generation, refrigeration, and thermal systems design. He actively involves students in advancing understanding of complex flow and heat transfer mechanisms through innovative experimental methods and modeling.

Recent Publications

• Majumdar, A., LeClair, A, Hartwig, J., Ghiaasiaan, S.M. Two-dimensional network flow modeling of no-vent tank filling of a cryogenic tank with thermodynamic vent system assisted injector, Cryogenics. 146, 104004, 2025.
• Ghavami, A., Ghiaasiaan, S.M.  Thermal conductivity of some ceramic materials at cryogenic temperature, ASME J. Heat Transfer, 145, 043501, 2023. 
• Perrella, M., Ghiaasiaan, S.M. Hydrodynamic resistance parameters of regenerator filler materials at cryogenic temperatures, Cryogenics, 117, 103320, 2021.
• Baldwin, M.R., Ghavami, A., Ghiaasiaan, S.M., Majumdar, A.A., Pool boiling in liquid hydrogen, liquid methane and liquid oxygen: a review of available data and predictive tools, Cryogenics, 115, 103240, 2021.
• Baldwin, M.R., Ghavami, A., Ghiaasiaan, S.M., Majumdar, A.A., Flow boiling in liquid hydrogen, liquid methane and liquid oxygen: a review of available data and predictive tools, Cryogenics, 116, 103298, 2021.

Russell Gentry is professor of architecture and civil engineering (by courtesy) and a licensed structural engineer. He teaches graduate courses in building structures, computationally-driven fabrication and construction, and building integration. He is affiliated with the design computing faculty in the School of Architecture and the structural engineering and mechanics of materials faculty in the School of Civil Engineering. 

Gentry is the chair of ASTM D30.10, Composites for Civil Structures and an expert on the development of test methods for composite materials. He is a fellow of the International Institute for Fiber Composites (IIFC). He is the Georgia Tech principal investigator on the NSF-sponsored international initiative to develop alternative uses for decommissioned composite wind turbine blades. 

Gentry is the acting director of the Digital Building Laboratory (DBL), an applied research lab in the College of Design, focusing on computational design, building information modeling, and information technology in the AEC industry. He serves as the associate dean for faculty in the College of Design.

Professor Nagi Gebraeel is the Georgia Power Early Career Professor and Professor in the H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering at Georgia Tech. He received his MS and PhD from Purdue University in 1998 and 2003, respectively.

Dr. Gebraeel's research interests lie at the intersection of Predictive Analytics and Machine Learning in IoT enabled maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) and service logistics. His key focus is on developing fundamental statistical learning algorithms specifically tailored for real-time equipment diagnostics and prognostics, and optimization models for subsequent operational and logistical decision-making in IoT ecosystems. Dr. Gebraeel also develops cyber-security algorithms intended to protect IoT-enabled critical assets from ICS-type cyberattacks (cyberattacks that target Industrial Control Systems). From the standpoint of application domains, Dr. Gebraeel has general interests in manufacturing, power generation, and service-type industries. Applications in Deep Space missions are a recent addition to his research interests, specifically, developing Self-Aware Deep Space Habitats through NASA's HOME Space Technology Research Institute.

Dr. Gebraeel leads Predictive Analytics and Intelligent Systems (PAIS) research group at Georgia Tech's Supply Chain and Logistics Institute. He also directs activities and testing at the Analytics and Prognostics Systems laboratory at Georgia Tech's Manufacturing Institute. Formerly, Dr. Gebraeel served as an associate director at Georgia Tech's Strategic Energy Institute (from 2014 until 2019) where he was responsible for identifying and promoting research initiatives and thought-leadership at the intersection of Data Science and Energy applications. He was also the former president of the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE) Quality and Reliability Engineering Division, and is currently a member of the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS), and IISE (since 2005).