Senior Fellow Joins Tech Parks Arizona

Dr. Richard Powell has joined Tech Parks Arizona and is serving as Senior Fellow. In this role, he will assist in evaluating new technology initiatives especially in the field of advanced energy. 

Dr. Powell brings a wealth of expertise and experience to the job. He has held several key appointments with the University of Arizona (UA) including: Vice President of Research, Professor Optical Sciences, Professor Materials Science and Director of the Optical Sciences Center. Powell retired from UA in 2005 and is currently an Emeritus Professor. He continued to be active as a consultant for solar energy research projects at Science Foundation Arizona, Research Corporation for Science Advancement and the Arizona Research Institute for Solar Energy.

His extensive knowledge in optics and photonics as well as renewable energy complements the work being done at the Solar Zone. The Solar Zone is one of the largest multi-technology solar testing and demonstration sites in the world.  

Phase Two of the Solar Zone will include research and development focused on energy storage, grid optimization and micro grids, distributed solar systems, and integrated and embedded solar materials. As part of Phase Two, the UA Tech Park is opening an additional 61 acres of land for testing and demonstration projects. 

“We are excited to have Dr. Powell join the Tech Parks Arizona team,” stated Bruce Wright, Associate Vice President for Tech Parks Arizona. “We have launched an ambitious strategic plan around innovation hubs and I am confident that he will build on the established momentum and take it to the next level.”

Tech Parks Arizona creates the interactive ground that generates, attracts and retains technology companies and talent in alignment with the research, mission and goals of the University of Arizona (UA). Tech Parks Arizona directs the UA Tech Park, the UA Tech Park at The Bridges and the Arizona Center for Innovation, placing the highest priority on recruiting companies desiring connectivity to the University of Arizona. Tech Parks Arizona is part of Tech Launch Arizona (TLA), an office of integrated teams creating an ecosystem of invention and commercialization throughout Arizona and beyond.