Business Council Deems Payam Heydari a Game Changer

Payam HeydariFeb. 14, 2018 - The Orange County Business Council named Payam Heydari an Orange County Game Changer at its annual dinner and officer installation event in early February. The UC Irvine professor of electrical engineering and computer science was one of six people recognized for being a leader who is transforming the world.

Heydari was the lead investigator and scientist in the development of a silicon microchip-based component known as a “millimeter-wave radiator.” The miniscule device is capable of emitting millimeter wave signals at high efficiency and high radiated output power, which can penetrate solid surfaces and provide extremely sharp resolution images. The radiator will allow the development of gadgets that used to be the fantasy of science fiction, such as Dr. McCoy’s tiny tricorder device in the 1960s television series, Star Trek. Heydari also is working on a National Science Foundation (NSF) project on brain-computer interface that has the potential to restore walking ability and sensation in people with spinal injuries.

“OCBC reached out to our universities, community leaders and industry partners looking for ‘Game Changers’ working today to change your lives tomorrow,” said OCBC President and CEO Lucy Dunn, following a video retrospective of Orange County Game Changers past and present. “What we heard back was nothing short of incredible. These are people making amazing progress with global impact in their respective fields – and all of them are working right here in Orange County.”

Also in February, Heydari was endorsed by Marquis Who’s Who as a leader in the fields of electrical engineering and higher education. The publisher presented Heydari with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award in honor of his many years of experience, achievements, leadership qualities, credentials and successes.

– Lori Brandt