John S. Tomblin and Malek A. Kabariti were recently inducted into West Virginia University’s academies of aerospace and mechanical engineering.
Tomblin, who completed his bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in mechanical engineering from West Virginia University in 1990, 1991 and 1994, respectively, has spent his professional career as a member of the faculty at Wichita State University. He is currently the executive director of the National Institute for Aviation Research at WSU, interim vice president for research and technology transfer and a Bloomfield Distinguished Professor of aerospace engineering.
Tomblin oversees 15 laboratories in four locations encompassing 350,000 square feet, 350 employees, and a yearly budget of more than $45 million. Under his leadership, NIAR has gained worldwide recognition in the area of composites and advanced materials. It has greatly expanded its capabilities and footprint and has more than doubled its yearly funding.
Kabariti earned a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from WVU in 1977. His career has included service as an instructor at the University of Jordan and numerous assignments as a project manager, consultant, board member, or advisor to both governmental and non-governmental organizations in north Africa, Europe, India and the Middle East.
Kabariti’s primary technical interests lie in the area of energy and renewable energy, particularly solar energy. He has worked for many years on the improvement of solar water heating systems and in the development of manufacturing expertise and systems in his native country of Jordan. He currently serves as Jordan’s Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources.
The pair were inducted at an event held on April 11 in Morgantown.