Dr. Hitesh Vora is a distinguished leader in energy efficiency, advanced manufacturing, and workforce development. As an Associate Professor at Oklahoma State University (OSU), he directs the Industrial Assessment Center (IAC), the Rural Energy Assessment Center, and the Great Plains Center of Excellence (GPCoE). New India Abroad CEAT Oklahoma State University. Under his leadership, the OSU IAC has conducted hundreds of energy assessments, resulting in over $137 million in recommended cost savings for manufacturers and an impressive 11.46x return on investment for taxpayers. His efforts have trained over 259 students, with 106 earning DOE IAC certificates, preparing them for impactful careers in the energy sector. The Indian EYE CEAT Oklahoma State University In 2023, Dr. Vora was instrumental in securing a $7 million award from the U.S. Department of Energy to establish the GPCoE, announced by Secretary Jennifer M. Granholm and Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff. The center aims to expand the IAC Program by collaborating with entities such as the OSU Hamm Institute for American Energy, focusing on training the next generation of clean energy workers and supporting small- and medium-sized enterprises across 13 Great Plains states. Dr. Vora is an active member of the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE), serving as the Student Chapter Director for the Oklahoma chapter. His research interests include additive manufacturing, smart manufacturing, and energy management, and he has contributed to over 40 journal articles and secured more than $12.8 million in research funding. aeeok.org CEAT Oklahoma State University CEAT Oklahoma State University the Indian EYE In recognition of his contributions, Dr. Vora received the Emerging Manufacturing Leaders Award in 2025, honoring his advancements in energy-efficient manufacturing and workforce development.