The U-M’s energy institute is sharpening its focus on partnerships and relationships on campus and beyond by naming an assistant director of operations.

Bruno Vanzieleghem takes the new position in the Michigan Memorial Phoenix Energy Institute to continue to build relationships between faculty engaged in research and teaching in energy and with industry, government organizations, other institutes and universities focused on energy challenges.

“Energy clearly is one of the most crucial, and most complex, challenges we face today,” said Vanzieleghem. “The University of Michigan’s strong and impressive depth and breadth in energy-related science and research positions us well to join in the nation’s strong focus on solving the energy crisis, and I’m looking forward to helping capitalize on those resources.”

His work at the institute also will include assisting faculty in securing sponsored research through grants, contracts and other types of agreements in areas related to energy science, technology and policy.

Vanzieleghem comes to the institute from a six-year stint as the technical program manager for the Automotive Research Center, a multi-university consortium led by the U-M.  He was responsible for connections with partner universities, financial planning, outreach to industrial and government stakeholders and the writing, planning and coordinating of research proposals to a variety of funding agencies in the field of sustainable transportation.

He has a PhD in mechanical engineering and a master’s degree in automotive engineering from the U-M and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Ghent in Belgium

He currently is pursuing a master of business administration degree through the U-M Ross School Of Business Evening Program.