Kris Villez
About Kris Villez
Kris Villez is a Senior R&D Associate at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and a Joint Faculty Assistant Professor at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He has extensive experience in automation, data mining, and process optimization, with a strong academic background in bio-engineering and applied statistics.
Work at Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Kris Villez has been employed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) as a Senior R&D Associate since 2019. In this role, Villez focuses on research and development initiatives, applying expertise in automation, data mining, and online process monitoring. ORNL is known for its contributions to scientific research and technological advancements, particularly in energy and environmental sciences.
Education and Expertise
Kris Villez holds a Master of Science in Bio-engineering from Ghent University, which he completed from 1998 to 2003. He further advanced his education by obtaining a PhD in Bio-engineering, Applied Statistics, and Process Automation from the same institution between 2003 and 2007. Villez specializes in computer-aided engineering, particularly in the energy, manufacturing, and water sectors, and has expertise in solving challenges related to automation and data management.
Background in Academia
Before his current roles, Kris Villez served as a Lecturer at ETH Zurich for four months in 2018. He also worked at Purdue University as a Postdoctoral Research Associate from 2008 to 2012 and held a position as a Postdoctoral Trainee at Université Laval in 2008. Additionally, he was a Group Leader at Eawag from 2012 to 2019, where he led research efforts in process modeling, optimization, and quality assessment.
Current Role at University of Tennessee
Kris Villez has been a Joint Faculty Assistant Professor at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville since 2021. In this capacity, he serves as the ORNL Graduate Advisor, bridging the gap between academia and research at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. This role allows him to mentor students and contribute to the academic community while continuing his research endeavors.