The UConn College of Engineering is celebrating a new national honor for one of its research leaders.
Associate dean for research George Bollas has been selected as a Fulbright Scholar Alumni Ambassador, joining a competitive national cohort of scholars chosen to represent and promote the prestigious Fulbright program.
As part of the 12th cohort of the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Alumni Ambassador Program, Bollas will serve a two-year term sharing his Fulbright experience, mentoring prospective applicants, and advancing international academic collaboration across his professional networks. The role also includes conference engagement, campus visits, advocacy efforts, digital outreach, and collaboration with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
“Being part of the Fulbright Program has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my career,” says Bollas. “I’m honored to serve as an Alumni Ambassador and to help expand access to global research opportunities, while showcasing the strength of international collaboration at UConn and across the engineering community.”
The alumni ambassador role includes specialized training and engagement with the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, which administers the Fulbright Program. Bollas will participate in an orientation and training in Washington, D.C. later this month. In May, he will support the Institute of International Education’s efforts to advocate for the Fulbright Program on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., during Fulbright Advocacy Days.
During the 2024-2025 year, Bollas conducted research in Greece to investigate the end-to-end feasibility of ammonia as a fuel. As a Fulbright U.S. Scholar, he conducted research at the Chemical Process and Energy Resources Institute of the Centre for Research and Technology Hellas in Greece, examining ammonia as a hydrogen carrier for decarbonizing transportation and industry.
“This recognition reflects the caliber of scholarship and global impact that define our department,” says Kelly Burke, head of the UConn Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. “George’s selection as a Fulbright Alumni Ambassador underscores the prestige of our faculty and the strength of our research enterprise, as well as our commitment to advancing innovation through international collaboration.”
Bollas received bachelor and doctoral degrees from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece and then worked as a postdoctoral research associate in the chemical engineering department of MIT. At UConn, he is a professor in chemical and biomolecular engineering, and director of the Pratt & Whitney Institute for Advanced Systems Engineering.
He is leading efforts to develop multidisciplinary collaborations across academia, industry, and government, and is engaged in clean energy entrepreneurship. His work integrates fundamental research, systems engineering, and policy-relevant innovation to support the global energy transition. His Fulbright experience has advanced his work, bridging fundamental research, systems engineering, and policy-relevant energy innovation.
