Dr. Ayman EL-Refaie, Werner Endowed Chair of Secure and Sustainable Energy Systems and professor of electrical and computer engineering, has been named president of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Industry Applications Society and will serve a two-year appointment through January 2027.
One of the largest special interest societies within IEEE, the Industry Applications Society (IAS) focuses specifically on the unique needs of industry and commerce. IAS is a source of professional power to its 14,000+ worldwide members. Through a network of over 370 chapters globally, regional events and national and international conferences, the society keeps members abreast of current developments in the area of technology in electricity and electronics.
“I am honored to assume this position for IEEE IAS, an organization and community that has had a profound impact on my life and career,” said EL-Refaie. “I am also looking forward to working with our members to build on IAS’s success as a leading source of knowledge, professional development and innovation for our field.”
As president, EL-Refaie will be leading the IAS board and executive office/staff to shape the vision and direction of IAS and its resources and implementing strategic plans in addition to the regular operations. To begin his term, he published an article in IEEE Industry Applications Magazine outlining his goals and vision for the Society.
“This is a remarkable achievement for Dr. Ayman EL-Refaie and a tremendous opportunity for him to continue leading his field and scientific community,” said Dr. Kristina Ropella, Opus Dean of the Opus College of Engineering. “Dr. EL-Refaie is a creative and caring innovator in all of his work, and I look forward to seeing how he will apply his problem-solving mindset to leading IEEE’s Industry Applications Society.”
At Marquette, EL-Refaie serves as director of graduate students for the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and advances research focused on transportation electrification and renewable energy technologies.
Through over 20 years of research, EL-Refaie has conducted groundbreaking work in advanced traction motors, traction motors that reduce or eliminate rare-earth materials, fault-tolerant electrical machines for safety-critical applications, and high specific-power electrical machines, among others. He holds over 50 U.S. patents and his outstanding research in electric vehicles, hybrid/electric planes and renewable energy stands to influence the future of engineering innovation at Marquette and in Wisconsin — in addition to creating immense economic and environmental value globally.
EL-Refaie is a fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, the Institution of Engineering and Technology and the National Academy of Inventors.
