PULLMAN, Wash. – The Washington State Academy of Sciences (WSAS), established by the state legislature as an important technical resource for policymakers, recently added two Washington State University researchers to its ranks.
Chen-Ching Liu, Boeing distinguished professor in the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, was elected to the general membership. Sue Clark, Regent’s professor in the Department of Chemistry, was elected to the WSAS Board of Directors.
Liu is an international leader in smart grid research and a pioneer in development of decision support systems for power system restoration following major outages.
His research interests include cyber-power system vulnerability assessment, wide-area control and protection technologies for the power grid, and engineering and economic issues related to the integration of renewable energy. He has published more than 100 articles in major power engineering journals and 20 book chapters.
He has conducted research extensively for industry and governments, including the power industry in the United States, Europe and Asia, the National Science Foundation, the Electric Power Research Institute, the Science Foundation Ireland and European Commission programs.
Liu is founding director of the WSU Energy Systems Innovation Center. Working collaboratively with the electric power industry, researchers in the interdisciplinary center develop technology innovations for the smart grid and other critical areas of energy systems. Research has a direct impact on economic development in the state of Washington and beyond, securing WSU’s position as an international leader in smart energy systems.
The center hosts a distinguished team of 26 faculty researchers from the core area of power engineering and allied fields of engineering, science, sociology, economics, psychology and public policy. They bring unique strengths to address critical electric energy issues in a societal context.
In addition to his WSAS membership, Liu is a fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.
Clark is an international expert in methods to quickly identify radioactive materials in environmental samples. She is known for contributions to the advancement of safe and sustainable nuclear energy development.
In addition to managing a highly productive research lab and teaching both undergraduate and graduate courses, she is a widely respected member of the international chemistry community. Over the past decade, she has played a strong role in national and international science and energy policy, serving on various advisory boards for the National Academy of Sciences, the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Council for Chemical Research and other organizations.
In 2011, she was appointed by President Barack Obama to serve on the U.S. Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board, an independent government agency that provides objective scientific and engineering advice on nuclear waste management to Congress, the U.S. Secretary of Energy and other officials.
Clark is co-editor for the journal Radiochimica Acta and was a consultant for developing nuclear forensics training materials for the International Atomic Energy Agency.
She received the 2012 American Chemical Society (ACS) Garvan-Olin Medal for outstanding leadership in nuclear chemistry and radiochemistry and for continued efforts to increase the participation and inclusion of women in science.
Clark was elected to the general WSAS membership in 2012 and became a fellow of the ACS the same year.