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News provided by Cal State LA
David Blekhman, a professor of technology in the College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Technology at Cal State LA, was recognized for excellence in teaching and outstanding achievements during University Convocation 2022.
A South Pasadena resident, Blekhman was presented an Outstanding Professor Award on Aug. 18 for his significant achievements in scholarly inquiry or creativity, as well as professional activities and community service.
Professor Blekhman is a technical director for the Hydrogen Research and Fueling Facility at Cal State LA. The station is the only facility in the world on an academic campus that produces its own hydrogen via electrolysis.
An internationally recognized expert in hydrogen transportation, Blekhman has received multiple awards recognizing his contributions to clean transportation research and community outreach. He was also selected for the prestigious 2019-20 Fulbright Distinguished Chair in Alternative Energy Technology at Chalmers University, Sweden. He has helped to secure numerous grants totaling up to $12 million, including most recently a grant from the California Energy Commission to collaborate with Cerritos College on hydrogen workforce development.
Blekhman’s targeted training and student-centered research of rapidly evolving alternative fuel technologies are fundamental to the development and advancement of California’s clean energy workforce. Blekhman is dedicated to training the next generation of professionals in the field and has developed the Sustainable Energy and Transportation Program in the College of ECST to provide students with hands-on “living lab” experiences.
As an educator and mentor, Blekhman is proud of supporting the social mobility of hundreds of his students, who are now employed at hydrogen infrastructure companies and clean vehicle manufacturers. From 2011 to 2018, he served as the lead advisor for the EcoCAR 2 and EcoCAR 3 student teams, which represented California in the EcoCAR premier North American competition to build plug-in hybrid cars.
Blekhman received his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from the University at Buffalo in New York.
