CPES Announces New Center Director

The Center for Power Electronics Systems (CPES) at Virginia Tech is entering a new chapter of leadership. After completing a four-year term of dedicated service, Dr. Rolando Burgos has stepped down as Center Director.

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Richard Zhang assumed the role effective November 10, 2025, with a commitment to continue advancing the center’s legacy of excellence in research, education, and collaboration.

We extend our sincere gratitude to Dr. Burgos for his unwavering commitment to CPES and his many contributions during his tenure. Reflecting on his time as director, he shared: “It has been my greatest honor and privilege to serve as CPES Director over the past years and to have had the chance to follow in the footsteps of Drs. Boroyevich and Lee. I’m glad to say that the future of CPES is as promising as ever, thanks to everyone’s work and support. I am confident that we will continue to thrive under Dr. Zhang’s direction, and I wish him the very best and all our support in this new CPES chapter.”

Dr. Zhang brings to this role an inspiring record of global leadership, innovation, and collaboration in power electronics—qualities that align strongly with the mission of CPES.

Over his career, he has led teams that secured more than $35 million in research grants from agencies such as the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Department of Defense (DoD), and Department of Energy (DOE), fostering partnerships that bridge research, technology development, and real-world application. He created major business research initiatives such as GE’s SiC WBG device and Oil & Gas Electrification with over $50 million investment and he created and led cumulative $370M research portfolio.

As the former Chief Technology Officer of GE Grid Integration Solutions based in the UK, Dr. Zhang led the next-generation high-voltage direct current transmission (HVDC) technology development that became a new industry standard 2GW/±525 kV HVDC solution for offshore wind integration currently being deployed in Europe - an achievement that exemplifies the kind of interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation central to the CPES mission.

He has managed multidisciplinary research and development teams ranging from 50 to over 500 individuals across nine countries — including the United States, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Finland, Canada, China, India, and Brazil — cultivating environments that connect academia, industry, and government in pursuit of technological advancement.

Dr. Zhang served as Chairman, Board of Directors for Powerex - a power semiconductor and packaging company in the US; as Chairman of the Industrial Advisory Board for Center for Power Electronics Systems (CPES) at Virginia Tech; as a steering committee member for SuperGrid Institute SAS in France; and as an AdCom member for IEEE Power Electronics Society.

He has 77 journal and conference publications and invited talks, including 4 IEEE Transaction and Conference Award Papers and over 116 global patents granted or pending in 43 patent families.

Dr. Zhang earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering from Tsinghua University in Beijing, China, and his Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Virginia Tech.

Reflecting on his long-standing connection to CPES and its enduring influence, Dr. Zhang shared: “Over 31 years ago, I joined the CPES family (then VPEC) as a new student. What I learned here helped shape who I am today and my career path.”

“It’s truly inspiring to see how CPES has grown into the world’s most prominent and influential academic research and education institution in power electronics — thanks to the vision, leadership, and relentless pursuit of excellence by Drs. Lee and Boroyevich over more than four decades. As a former CPES Industry Advisory Board Chair and Co-Chair, I feel an immense sense of pride and gratitude to be part of CPES’s incredible journey.”

“I’m excited to work closely with you to build on CPES’s legacy and to help shape its future together.”

We at CPES look forward to Dr. Zhang’s guidance and leadership as we continue to advance the frontiers of power electronics and strengthen our partnerships across academia, industry, and government.

With appreciation,
The CPES Leadership Team
Center for Power Electronics Systems (CPES)