The Wayne State University College of Engineering congratulates West Bloomfield resident Simon Ng, professor of chemical engineering and materials science and director of the National Biofuels Energy Lab (NBEL), who has been named the college's interim associate dean of research.

Ng replaces Mumtaz Usmen, who recently was appointed interim dean of the college.

A member of the faculty since 1986, Ng's research focus has been heterogeneous catalysis, sensors and thin films, biomaterials and nanotechnology. His background and interests have led him in recent years to leadership roles in the emerging field of alternative energy and renewable fuels.

In fall 2004, Ng became co-director of Wayne State's new Alternative Energy Technology engineering graduate degree program after he was awarded a grant for the project from NextEnergy of Michigan. The program is the first alternative energy degree program in the nation.

In 2006, Ng became director of NBEL after receiving a grant from NextEnergy and the Department of Energy (DOE). The NBEL is working to develop the next generation of biodiesel with acceptable performance and cold flow and stability properties.

Ng is also the project director of the recently announced $5 million DOE grant to develop and implement comprehensive degree and certification programs in electric drive vehicles in cooperation with Macomb Community College and NextEnergy.

He is a recipient of this year's Wayne State Gershenson Distinguished Faculty Award; he was named distinguished faculty by the Michigan Association of Governing Boards of State Universities; he is winner of the Wayne State President's Award for Excellence in Teaching; he is a WSU College of Engineering's Excellence in Teaching Award and Outstanding Teaching Award recipient; and he is a Wayne State Career Development Chair Award recipient, among other recognitions.