Paul Ohodnicki , associate professor of mechanical engineering and materials science at the University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering, has been named permanent director of the Center for Energy, according to an announcement by Michele V. Manuel , U. S. Steel Dean of Engineering. Ohodnicki succeeds Heng Ban , professor of mechanical engineering and materials science, who was named Interim Associate Dean for Research in December 2025.
The Center for Energy is a university-wide endeavor that leverages the energy-related expertise of approximately 100 faculty members across campus from multiple disciplines and departments among the Swanson School of Engineering, Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, Law School, Business School and the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs.
“Energy research and education have been a critical component of Swanson School for more than a century, and is also integral to our new strategic plan. As energy resources, technologies, and markets evolve rapidly, we are positioned to expand our capabilities and grow our portfolio in the decade ahead,” Manuel said. “Paul's experience spanning academia, industry, entrepreneurship, and national laboratories uniquely positions him to advance the Center's impact and visibility.”
Ohodnicki earned his bachelor's degree in economics and B.Phil. in engineering science at Pitt before completing his master's and PhD in materials science and engineering at Carnegie Mellon. His career includes R&D roles at PPG Industries and the U.S. Department of Energy's National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) , where he served as technical portfolio lead for teams developing optical and microwave sensors, magnetic materials, and power electronics for high-frequency transformer-based solar PV and energy storage inverters.
“Pennsylvania, and the greater Pittsburgh region in particular, has long been a leader in the U.S. energy landscape, and the University of Pittsburgh has played a critical role in that legacy," Ohodnicki said. "By strengthening partnerships across industry, government, and academia, we will build on that foundation to further elevate our region’s position as a national leader in advanced energy research, deployment, and workforce development.”
At the Swanson School, Ohodnicki leads a research group exploring electromagnetic and photonic materials and their applications in practical devices for energy and power applications with a specific focus on sensing and power magnetics. This work includes novel processing methods for high-frequency magnetic materials using applied electromagnetic fields. He also serves as director of the Engineering Science Program and faculty lead for the INfrastructure Sensing for Intelligent Transportation and Energy Systems (INSITES) Consortium , and co-founded the Advanced Magnetics for Power and Energy Development (AMPED) Consortium .
Ohodnicki holds more than 40 patents and is co-founder and CTO of CorePower Magnetics , a manufacturer of high-performance inductors, transformers, and motors headquartered at the Energy Innovation Center. He received the 2016 Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, the 2017 Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Promising Innovations Medal, and seven R&D 100 Awards, including four consecutive years as a Pitt faculty member.
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