WSU’s Applied Sciences Laboratory hires Manager

SPOKANE, Wash.–Washington State University’s Applied Sciences Laboratory (ASL) in Spokane appointed Frank Ferris as manager for business development and operations. ASL is a unit of WSU’s world-renowned Institute for Shock Physics (ISP), headed by Yogendra (“Yogi”) Gupta.

As a key member of the ISP/ASL management team responsible for development and implementation of applied research initiatives, he will lead business development, operations and public outreach activities for ASL.  Ferris will work to identify opportunities for external support for significant projects from industry and federal agencies, will strengthen the ties between ASL and regional corporations, and will develop relationships with regional business leaders, academic institutions, entrepreneurs, professional service providers, and technology leaders. He will also provide day-to-day management and leadership for ASL operations.

For the past year, Dave Holmes, on executive loan from Avista, has functioned in this capacity.  Holmes will continue to be involved in ASL, but will concentrate his efforts the ASL Sustainable Energy Initiative.

“We appreciate the energy Dave Holmes has put into ASL for the last year and are extremely grateful to Avista for loaning a person of Dave’s caliber,” said Gupta. “Frank’s technical background in the corporate sector will help us accelerate ASL’s growth as a problem-solving partner for industry and government.”

Ferris has over 20 years of customer-driven management experience in engineering, product design and manufacturing engineering. He has experience as a hands-on entrepreneur of new concepts and technologies in organizations ranging from start-ups to large aerospace companies. Ferris holds a bachelor’s degree in physics from Occidental College and an MBA from Pepperdine University.

ASL has grown rapidly in the past year, adding researchers in high pressure science, computational chemistry and advanced materials and has received funding for research into high-tech sensors and sustainable energy.

The Applied Sciences Laboratory
Through the linkage of academic research to practical applications, ASL scientists solve problems related to national security, energy, and advanced materials. ASL is a multidisciplinary, contract research organization that undertakes a broad range of applied research projects for government agencies and corporations, including the development of commercial applications. Based in Spokane, ASL has experimental facilities co-located at WSU campuses in Spokane and Pullman. It combines the creativity of academic research with the agility and customer focus of private industry. It is funded through a combination of grants, contracts, and private support for the ASL Fund.
Further information about ASL may be found at www.asl.wsu.edu.

The Institute for Shock Physics
The Institute for Shock Physics provides the foundation for ASL applied research, with 50 years of research innovations and activities related to the study of materials under extreme conditions.  A multidisciplinary research organization within the College of Sciences, ISP undertakes a broad range of fundamental scientific activities related to understanding condensed matter response under dynamic and static high pressures. Atomic-to-continuum level understanding is the pervading theme of research activities that emphasize integration of innovative experiments with theoretical and computational advances.

Multidisciplinary efforts that combine expertise in physics, materials science, chemistry and mechanical engineering are underway to address several exciting and challenging scientific problems.

Further information about the institute is available at www.shock.wsu.edu.

Recent news releases about ASL:
– Avista and WSU-ASL Establish Sustainable Energy Initiative (Oct. 17, 2007): https://www.wsunews.wsu.edu/detail.asp?StoryID=6801
– WSU’s Applied Science Laboratory Receives Federal Funding for Sensor Research (Sept. 4, 2007): https://www.wsunews.wsu.edu/detail.asp?StoryID=6679