Richard Ziolkowski, UA professor of electrical and computer engineering, is no stranger to traveling the world as a representative for the College of Engineering. And starting in January 2015, he will once again represent the College as he flies across the globe to begin work in Australia as a Fulbright Distinguished Chair.

Richard Ziolkowski, newly named Fulbright Distinguished Chair, and a grad student work with a terahertz-wavelength imaging instrument.

Ziolkowski will serve a five-month term as the Fulbright Distinguished Chair in Advanced Science and Technology working with the country’s Defence Science and Technology Organisation to help connect government work and educational research. Based in Melbourne, he will work on DSTO priority research projects as well as give guest lectures and attend seminars at universities throughout Australia.

A key benefit of the program is the opportunity to explore longer-term collaboration and create new links with institutions in Australia. Thus, his time in Australia, Ziolkowski said, will align well with the College of Engineering’s global initiatives and help strengthen already developing international ties there.

“Not only will I be focusing on bringing my expertise to DSTO and universities in Australia, but I’ll be keeping in mind opportunities to foster international ties that are important for UA’s College of Engineering,” he said.

Ziolkowski has traveled internationally many times throughout his career, most notably as past president of the Antennas and Propagation Society for the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. He has visited Switzerland, Singapore, China and India to help promote international research in metamaterial exploration. Ziolkowski, an expert in transformative engineering of electromagnetic phenomena, devices and systems, will give a plenary talk in the Netherlands at the April 6-11 European Conference on Antennas and Propagation.

The highly competitive Fulbright Scholar Program, a U.S. State Department initiative, supports relations between students, researchers and scholars of the United States and other countries. The Distinguished Chair position is among the most prestigious appointments in the program.

“I am so honored to have been selected for such a prestigious award,” said Ziolkowski, who has a joint appointment in the College of Optical Sciences. “I am looking forward to working with Fulbright Australia and representing the University of Arizona.”