Dear EME friends and colleagues,
As the year draws to a close, I am filled with gratitude and pride to connect with each of you as the new head of the John and Willie Leone Family Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering (EME). My term began on July 1, 2024, and it has already been a rewarding journey. Building on the leadership and vision of my predecessors, Drs. Russell Johns and Sanjay Srinivasan, I am honored to step into this role and lead our community through an exciting period of growth and innovation.
I am continually inspired by the legacy of excellence and ambition that defines EME. This legacy serves as the foundation of a truly unique academic department, positioning us at the forefront of energy education, research, and innovation. It is this foundation that makes EME exceptionally well-suited to lead curricular and research advancements in the transforming global energy landscape. With award-winning research, top-ranked resident undergraduate and graduate programs, and our rapidly expanding online programs, EME provides a comprehensive ecosystem that addresses every facet of the energy transition conversation—from renewable and subsurface energy to sustainability, responsible mineral extraction, environmental impact, energy economics, and decision-making analysis.
Our shared mission is powerful. What we offer is highly relevant to today’s societal challenges: energy, minerals, environment, and sustainability are all global issues—and all are integrated within EME. We provide a comprehensive suite of academic programs and an interdisciplinary research ecosystem designed to tackle the complex energy challenges of the future. As the only department focused specifically on energy with an integrated approach to both energy and earth resources, every year EME takes significant strides to ensure that we not only prepare students for impactful careers but also lead in developing solutions to the world’s most pressing energy and mineral systems challenges. In the pages ahead, you’ll learn about the progress and achievements across our department this year—so you continue to take pride in EME.
As we look toward the future, I am excited to work alongside our distinguished faculty, talented students, and dedicated alumni to advance our department’s mission. Together, we are shaping the future of our field and empowering its future leaders. Your commitment and pride are essential to our success. Our alumni exemplify the excellence of EME, and I am proud to lead a department that benefits from such a passionate and engaged community. Thank you for being an essential part of EME.
May the year ahead bring continued growth, opportunity, and innovation for each
of you and for the EME community.
Luis F. Ayala,
Department Head
John and Willie Leone Family Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering