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MAE Seminar: Kashif Nawaz
September 20 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Title:
Transforming the Future: Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Role in Decarbonizing the National Buildings Sector
Abstract:
This seminar will provide a comprehensive overview of Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s pivotal role as a premier national research institute in advancing the energy sector. Attendees will gain insights into the lab’s state-of-the-art facilities, which foster cross-cutting research and innovation. A brief historical context will be offered to highlight the unique foundation and evolution of ORNL. The seminar will also explore diverse career opportunities for aspiring candidates. In the second half, the focus will shift to advanced building technologies, where ORNL’s distinguished research teams have pioneered next-generation solutions in HVAC&R, water heating, and refrigeration. Key research initiatives led by ORNL building scientists will be discussed, emphasizing their critical contributions to achieving a net-zero carbon economy by 2050.
Bio:
Dr. Kashif Nawaz is a distinguished leader in energy conversion science and technology, with expertise spanning building heating, cooling, and dehumidification systems. After earning his BSc in Mechanical Engineering from Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Technology, Pakistan, and his MSc and PhD from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, he joined Johnson Controls as a Senior Heat Transfer Engineer and later transitioned to Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) as a senior scientist. At ORNL, Dr. Nawaz has driven groundbreaking research in high-temperature heat exchangers, advanced HVAC&R, and direct air capture technologies, contributing to the lab’s mission to decarbonize the built environment. His prolific work includes over 250 publications, 20 invention disclosures, and seven patents. A Fellow of ASME and ASHRAE, Dr. Nawaz has received numerous awards, including four R&D100 Awards, reflecting his significant impact on the field.