Idaho State University Vice President for Research Howard Grimes to take position at INL and Center for Advanced Energy Studies

Idaho State University’s Howard Grimes, vice president for research and economic development, has accepted the position of director for innovation in industry partnerships for the Idaho National Laboratory’s Energy and Environmental Science and Technology Directorate (EEST) and the Center for Advanced Energy Studies (CAES) in Idaho Falls.

Grimes will begin his new position on Feb. 23.

“Being able to work on fundamental changes in our energy strategies is an incredible opportunity,” Grimes said. “I will be working with the Idaho National Laboratory and the Center for Advanced Energy Studies to develop innovative approaches for integrating the public and private sector into partnerships that change the energy landscape for our future.”

Grimes said that energy, water, and food are at the nexus of our planet for the next 50 years.

“My entire career has been focused on translating basic scientific advances into solving global challenges,” Grimes said.

Steven Aumeier, associate INL director of EEST and director of CAES, stressed the importance of Grimes’ mission.

“His position is joined both with INL’s Energy and Environmental Science and Technology Directorate and the Center for Advanced Energy Studies,” Aumeier said. “His job is to build and lead an important component of our directorate, to better connect private-public partnerships, to find more innovative ways to connect private sector needs with National Laboratory and public research and to help U.S. companies be more competitive in rapidly changing fields.”

Grimes has been vice president for research and economic development at ISU since November 2012.

“The University continues to grow its research enterprise and has enormous potential to positively impact our community, region and state,” Grimes said. “I will continue to work with universities across our region, the National Laboratory network, and private companies within Idaho to bring innovation to energy systems integration.”

“We are grateful for Howard’s service to ISU,” said ISU President Arthur Vailas. “We look forward to our continued collaboration as we develop innovative energy solutions.”

Prior to coming to ISU, Grimes held several positions at Washington State University, including vice president for research, dean of the Graduate School and the director for the Center for the Environmental Research, Education and Outreach.