A&M Mourns Loss of Chris Floudas, Class of 2013-14
A member of the National Academy of Engineering, Dr. Floudas directed the Texas A&M Energy Institute and conducted research that addressed fundamental problems on multi-scale systems engineering for energy, environment, and health.
Dr. Christodoulos A. “Chris” Floudas, the Erle Nye ’59 Chair Professor for Engineering Excellence and Professor of Chemical Engineering at Texas A&M University and Director of the Texas A&M Energy Institute, passed away on Sunday, Aug. 14, while on vacation with his family in Greece, due to an apparent heart attack. He was 56 years old.
A member of the National Academy of Engineering, Floudas was well regarded nationally and internationally and among administrators, faculty and students alike at Texas A&M University. His research addressed fundamental problems on multi-scale systems engineering for energy, environment, and health.
Dr. Floudas was recruited to Texas A&M University from Princeton University through the Chancellor’s Research Initiative, a program to recruit exceptional faculty to The Texas A&M University System. As such, Dr. Floudas was recognized at Governor Greg Abbott’s State of the State address in 2015 as an example of top-tier global talent recruited to the state through higher education research initiatives. Texas A&M System Chancellor John Sharp remarked, “I’m saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Dr. Floudas. I had the opportunity to meet Chris through his recruitment in the Chancellor’s Research Initiative. He was a true scholar and gentleman and he’ll be missed by the Aggie Family. Our thoughts are with his family here and in Greece.”
Dr. Floudas served as fellow at the Texas A&M University Institute for Advanced Study, Class of 2013-14.
In an email alerting faculty and staff, Texas A&M University President Michael K. Young stated: “We are deeply saddened to have learned that our dear colleague passed away. He was an amazing scholar who demonstrated leadership in discovery, in innovative teaching and practice, and in serving his discipline and all of society. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Fotini, and his family at this difficult time.”
Vice Chancellor and Dean of Engineering Kathy Banks stated, “Chris was an exceptional scholar and a true visionary in his field. This is an immense loss for Texas A&M University and the entire engineering community. Our deepest sympathies are with Fotini and the family.”
A funeral will be held in Greece on Wednesday, Aug. 17, with a memorial service on campus to be held in his honor at a date and time to be announced later.