Professor Alexander Couzis is a recognized leader in engineering education and applied research, with expertise spanning advanced materials science, interfacial engineering, and energy storage technologies. His work bridges scientific innovation with real-world applications in sustainability and urban resilience
He serves as Executive Co-Director of the United Nations University (UNU) Hub on Remote-Sensing and Sustainable Innovations for Resilient Urban Systems (R-SIRUS), where he leads efforts to align academic research with global sustainability goals. He brings to the UNU Hub a strong commitment to innovation-driven impact, international collaboration, and preparing the next generation of students and professionals to tackle complex societal challenges.
Professor Couzis is a Professor of Chemical Engineering and currently serves as the Daniel and Frances Berg Dean of the Grove School of Engineering at the City College of New York (CCNY). Under his leadership, the school has significantly expanded its engagement with public-sector and international partners, reinforcing CCNY’s role as a hub for sustainable urban infrastructure and climate-responsive technologies.
His research portfolio includes over 50 peer-reviewed publications and 12 U.S. patents, covering key innovations in renewable energy systems and wearable biomedical devices. As the former CEO and CTO of Urban Electric Power, he led the commercialization of zinc-based rechargeable battery technologies that contribute directly to energy equity and climate resilience.
Professor Couzis has secured major research funding from leading agencies such as NASA, the National Science Foundation (NSF), the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), and NYSERDA. His interdisciplinary work advances clean energy solutions, waste valorization, and circular materials systems—driving progress at the intersection of science, engineering, and sustainability.