People

Alan Taub, Director
EV Center Director Alan Taub is a longtime auto industry executive and Robert H. Lurie Professor of Engineering in Materials Science and Mechanical Engineering at U-M. Taub earned a PhD in Applied Physics from Harvard University.

Christophe Mangin, Managing Director
Experienced executive from GM and Ford focusing on global strategy and corporate alliances, EV Center Managing Director Christophe Mangin earned his PhD from MIT in materials science and engineering economics also served as Program Manager for Business Development for U-M’s Global CO₂ Initiative and Managing Director for the Michigan Materials Research Institute.

Mihaela Banu, Technology Director
Professor Banu’s research focuses on lightweight materials, with emphasis on developing micro- and nanocellulose composites, natural fiber composites and associated manufacturing processes for automotive and aerospace applications.

Ashlee Breitner, Workforce Director
Ashlee Breitner brings more than 15 years of experience in leadership, organizational development and project management to her roles as our Workforce Director. She also serves as managing director at U-M’s Economic Growth Institute and a lecturer for Michigan Engineering’s Center for Entrepreneurship.

Greg Less, Battery Lab Director
Greg Less is Director of the U-M Battery Lab, responsible for the day-to-day operations of the facility. He received a doctorate in Chemistry from U-M. Prior to founding the Battery Lab, Greg was a U-M research scientist and worked at battery companies T/J Technologies and A123 Systems.

Jamie Racklyeft, Communication Lead
With more than three decades of experience in strategic organizational communication, Jamie Racklyeft serves as Communication Lead for the EV Center. He earned his Master’s in Education from WSU.

Jason Siegel, Director of Education
Leading the center’s education efforts, Jason Siegel is also an Associate Research Scientist in Mechanical Engineering. His research focuses on battery modeling, diagnostic algorithms using battery expansion measurements, and controls.

Neil Dasgupta, Battery Lead
Professor Dasgupta has research interests in renewable energy and energy storage; batteries; solar energy; catalysis; nanomanufacturing; atomic layer deposition; bio-inspired materials; and more.

Heath Hofmann, Electric Machines & Drives Lead
Heath Hofmann is a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering. His expertise lies in the area of power electronic and electromechanical systems, with an emphasis on applications that help achieve sustainability. Specific research interests include the design, modelling, simulation, and control of electric machines and drives.

Arthur Hyde, Vehicle Integration Lead
Art Hyde, a.k.a. Mr. Mustang, is an Associate Professor of Engineering Practice, Division of Integrative Systems and Design and Director of the Automotive Engineering Program for the Division of Integrative Systems and Design, College of Engineering.

Greg Keoleian, LCA/TEA Lead
Professor Keoleian co-founded and serves as co-director of the Center for Sustainable Systems and the MI Hydrogen Initiative. His research focuses on the development and application of life cycle models and metrics to enhance sustainability and accelerate decarbonization of transportation and other sectors.

Johanna Mathieu, Grid Lead
Professor Mathieu’s research focuses on ways to reduce the environmental impact, cost, and inefficiency of electric power systems. She uses methods from a variety of fields including control systems and optimization, and uses engineering methods to inform energy policy.

Becky Peterson, Power Electronics Lead
Professor Peterson, faculty in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, serves as Director of the Lurie Nanofabrication Facility. Her research focuses on oxide semiconductor materials and devices, including wide bandgap and ultrawide bandgap semiconductors such as gallium oxide for next generation high voltage power electronics and 3D-IC heterointegration with silicon CMOS.

Michelle Campbell, DEIA Lead
Michelle leads the Culture, Grants and Advancement team at Michigan Engineering’s Office of Culture, Community and Equity. She also serves as the EVC’s DEIA Lead, helping to anchor the organization, as well as its programs and research, in principles of equity, inclusion and access. 

Shelly Christian-Sherman, Research Administration Senior Manager
Shelly Christian-Sherman serves as Research Administration Senior Manager for the EV Center and Battery Lab. She earned her Bachelor of Business Administration from Cleary University.

Ellen Kampf, Senior Administrative Assistant
Ellen Kampf provides administrative support for Alan Taub and the EV Center. Ellen has a master’s in Human Resources Management from MSU.

Jessi Kittel, Workforce Development Lead
Jessi leads strategic initiatives for the Workforce and Education pillars of the EVC. She is highly adept at project management within higher education and has a MS in Science Communication from the University of Edinburgh. Jessi additionally provides support to MiVTTP through the Economic Growth Institute.

Avinash Saraf, Web Developer
Avinash provides technical support for our web development needs. Proficient in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, and WordPress, Avinash has also served the Creative Campus Voting Project and SPARK Electric Racing.

Kevin Worth, Senior IT Administrator
Kevin provides IT support for the EV Center. He has over two decades of IT experience working in U-M’s Materials Science & Engineering, currently serving as the Senior IT Administrator. Kevin holds a Master of Science in Information Systems.