VESTAL — An engineer with “decades of experience in industry and higher education” is now serving as the CEO of the Upstate New York Energy Storage Engine that Binghamton University leads. Meera Sampath previously served as the associate dean of research in Binghamton’s Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science, according to its […]
VESTAL — An engineer with “decades of experience in industry and higher education” is now serving as the CEO of the Upstate New York Energy Storage Engine that Binghamton University leads. Meera Sampath previously served as the associate dean of research in Binghamton’s Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science, according to its Oct. 22 announcement. The Upstate New York Energy Storage Engine is one of 10 inaugural engines funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and established under the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022. The program is one of the largest investments in place-based innovation in U.S. history, Binghamton University said. Sampath spent the first 20 years of her career with Xerox Corp., including time as the VP for innovation and business transformation at Xerox Services and as founding director of the Xerox Research Center India. From there, she joined SUNY, serving as associate vice chancellor for research and as executive director of the SUNY-IBM AI Collaborative Research Alliance. Sampath holds a doctorate in electrical engineering from the University of Michigan, the school noted. “I am excited and honored to lead this transformative project that brings together technology, innovation and talent development with a deep focus on the community,” Sampath said in the Binghamton announcement. “I look forward to working closely with our leadership team and our colleagues at the National Science Foundation to establish upstate New York as America’s battery capital.” Sampath began serving as interim CEO of the Upstate New York Energy Storage Engine during the summer and formally stepped into the role in late September. Sampath, who holds 15 U.S. patents, is recognized for her contributions to the field of discrete-event systems and model-based failure diagnosis. Her professional interests include social implications of technology, innovation for developing countries, and fostering interdisciplinary research. Binghamton University describes the Energy Storage Engine as a coalition of more than 40 academic, industry, nonprofit, state and community organizations. Cornell University, Rochester Institute of Technology, Syracuse University, New York Battery and Energy Storage Technology Consortium (NY-BEST) and Launch NY serve as core partners. The coalition received an initial $15 million for the first two years and may receive up to $160 million during the next decade. It will receive an additional $16 million over 10 years from Empire State Development. “The NSF Engine is a critical initiative for the future of our region,” Harvey Stenger, president of Binghamton University, said in the school’s announcement. “I am excited to have Meera lead this effort as CEO. Her strong leadership skills, global perspective and deep commitment to the community are critical to advancing the Engine’s mission of technology-based inclusive economic growth.”
Engine’s work
The Upstate New York Energy Storage Engine will help to “drive domestic self-sufficiency and achieve global competitiveness in battery technology” by providing grants in use-inspired R&D to industry-academia coalitions to address critical challenges along the entire battery lifecycle with a focus on safety and sustainability. It will also support regional energy-storage companies with training, mentoring, access to infrastructure and investments to accelerate technology and market readiness. The Engine will also be providing grants for community organizations, businesses, and educational institutions to develop and scale innovative programs to build a skilled workforce for the battery industry. “We are delighted to welcome Dr. Sampath to the Upstate New York Energy Storage Engine,” William Acker, a member of the Engine’s governance board and executive director of the New York Battery and Energy Storage Technology Consortium (NY-BEST), said. “Her technical leadership and extensive experience in building successful partnerships across industry, academia and government will be instrumental in driving the growth and success of the Engine.”