Khalil Najafi is a world leader in solid-state micro-
electrical and mechanical systems (MEMS) and engineering education. With his stunning breakthroughs in micromachining and microfabrication, electron sensors, and mixed signal circuits fields, Professor Najafi is transforming such diverse fields as medicine and automotive, aerospace, and mechanical engineering. The Solid-State Electronics Laboratory, which Professor Najafi has directed since 1998, is one of the premiere facilities of its kind. Professor Najafi also is providing distinguished service as deputy director of the National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center on Wireless Integrated Microsystems.
The wireless telemetry systems developed by Professor Najafi for use in implantable monitoring systems are transforming the field of biomedicine. He has provided the foundation for developing microsystems to be used for treating Parkinson’s disease and epilepsy and for restoring hearing, sight, and movement to disabled individuals through a variety of prosthetic devices. Professor Najafi also is the world leader in the development of micromachined gyros and accelerometers—key components in emerging automotive systems for improved guidance and handling safety.
A gifted educator, Professor Najafi has trained a cadre of highly qualified researchers who are now at other universities, research institutions, or in industry. He revised the College of Engineering curriculum in solid-state circuits and has established new courses in integrated circuit design and fabrication, in microelectromechanical devices, and in analog circuit design. He also was instrumental in establishing a graduate major in circuits and microsystems and is developing an undergraduate MEMS course.
Professor Najafi’s devotion to his students has led to numerous teaching awards, including Electrical Engineering and Computer Science’s Teaching Excellence Award and Professor of the Year Award, as well as the College of Engineering’s Teaching Excellence Award, and the Arthur F. Thurnau Professorship and the Henry Russel Award.
Professor Najafi is a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), editor of the IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices and associate editor of several other prestigious engineering journals, and a frequent contributor to and organizer of international conferences.
For Professor Najafi’s inspiring contributions to solid-state microelectrical and mechanical systems, his administrative leadership in the College of Engineering and in his profession, and his devotion to students, the University of Michigan proudly presents to Khalil Najafi its Faculty Recognition Award.
