The U.S. Department of State invited Clarkson University professor Kerop Janoyan to join a small delegation of executives, investors, entrepreneurs and academic partners to Armenia from Oct. 6 to 8.

Started in 2014 by Secretary John Kerry, this will be the fifth in a series of Partnership Opportunity Delegations (PODs) led by the Global Partnership Initiative. It is based on the idea that some of the best ideas are created when unlikely combinations of people come together in an unlikely place and are given the freedom to meet, share ideas, and ultimately collaborate on projects of mutual interest.

This POD will be centered on investment opportunities in renewable energy, energy efficiency and conservation, and sustainable development to achieve greater energy independence.

“Improving energy efficiency will combat climate change and promote economic recovery, growth and opportunity in Armenia, and build on the relationship with the U.S.,” according to a press release from Clarkson.

This Armenia Partnership Opportunity Delegation will bring together the U.S. Department of State Secretary's Office of Global Partnerships, the U.S. Agency for International Development in Armenia, and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe.

While there, Janoyan will also participate in United Nations annual International Forum on Energy for Sustainable Development in Yerevan from Sept. 29 to Oct. 2.

Janoyan is a professor in the civil and environmental engineering department at Clarkson University, where he served as executive officer from 2010 to 2014. He is now serving as the director of distance learning in the office of the provost.

He was elected by-fellow of Churchill College at Cambridge University, where he spent his sabbatical stay in 2009.

Janoyan’s research and development expertise covers a broad range of related topics, with a strong focus on aspects of intelligent infrastructure systems. He is the co-director of Clarkson's Center for the Evaluation of Clean Energy Technology Blade Testing Facility and the director of the Laboratory for Intelligent Infrastructure and Transportation Technologies.

Janoyan has authored or co-authored more than 90 technical papers and reports and has presented research at national and international conferences and workshops. He has an extensive history of participation in academic and joint industrial projects and his research and development efforts have garnered nearly $4 million in funding.

Janoyan is also the co-inventor on one U.S. patent.

Janoyan received his bachelor of science, master of science engineer, and Ph.D. degrees in civil engineering from the University of California at Los Angeles. He is a registered professional engineer in California.