Dr. John G. Kassakian is Professor of Electrical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Director of the MIT Laboratory for Electromagnetic and Electronic Systems. His field of expertise is power electronics and automotive electrical systems. He received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from MIT, and prior to joining the MIT faculty, he served a two year tour of duty in the US Navy. Dr. Kassakian was the Founding President of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) Power Electronics Society, served as the US representative to the European Power Electronics Association, and is the recipient of the IEEE Centennial Medal, the IEEE William E. Newell Award, the IEEE Power Electronics Society’s Distinguished Service Award, the IEEE Millennium Medal, the European Power Electronics Association Achievement Award, and the Kabakjian Science Award. In 1989 he was elected a Fellow of the IEEE and in 1993 he was elected to the National Academy of Engineering. In 1993 he was also awarded an IEEE Distinguished Lectureship through which he has lectured internationally. He has published extensively in the areas of power electronics, power systems, education and automotive electrical systems, and has served on the Boards of Directors of a number of public companies and ISO New England, the independent system operator of the New England electric utility grid, and the Corporate Advisory Boards of Tyco Electronics and Lutron Electronics. From 1997 to 2001 he served on the National Research Council’s (NRC) Standing Committee to Review the program of the US Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles, and is currently serving as a member of the NRC Committee to Evaluate the Fuel Economy of Light Duty Vehicles. He serves as a consultant to government and industry, and is a co-author of the textbook Principles of Power Electronics. Dr. Kassakian’s interests include sailing, fishing and gardening. He has two children and resides with his wife in Newton, Massachusetts.