Michael Karmis

Dr. Michael Karmis is the Stonie Barker Professor of the Department of Mining and Minerals Engineering and the Director of the Virginia Center for Coal and Energy Research (VCCER) at Virginia Tech. During his over +40 year career at Virginia Tech, he also served as Head of the Department of Mining and Minerals Engineering for 14 years. His interest is in the broad area of sustainable development of energy and mineral resources, with focus on mine systems and geomechanics, health and safety, environmental management, energy planning and carbon management. He has authored or /co-authored over 180 scientific papers and has directed more than 60 major research projects, funded by federal and state agencies, foundations and the private sector. A Professional Engineer (P.E.) in the USA and a Eur Ing in Europe, Dr. Karmis is an active consultant to the global mining industry, academic and research institutions, government agencies, engineering companies, and financial and legal firms. He served as the 2002 President of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration (SME) and as the 2008 President of the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical and Petroleum Engineers (AIME). He was elected as the 2002 President of the Society of Mining Professors (SOMP)-Societät der Bergbaukunde and served from 2005 to 2012 as the Society’s Secretary General. Dr. Karmis serves on the Board of several entities, including private companies, organizations and professional groups. He is an Honorary Member of AIME, a Distinguished Member of SME, a Fellow of the Institute of Quarrying, and a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining. He has received numerous awards and recognitions by major scientific, educational, professional and industrial organizations.