Daily News Briefs

W. Grant McGimpsey was appointed director of the Worcester Polytechnic Institute Bioengineering Institute (BEI), in Worcester, Mass. A nanoscience researcher, academic and entrepreneur, McGimpsey was formerly associate director of business development at the institute. He replaces Timothy R. Gerrity, who is launching a BEI-developed Worcester-based company that will facilitate technology transfer. McGimpsey is also director of BEI's Center for Molecular Engineering, which is investigating the link between molecular engineering and biological systems to facilitate the self-assembly of biomolecules into complex structures capable of carrying out highly sophisticated functions, including energy conversion and data storage. A professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at WPI, he is leading research programs in the areas of nanoscience, chemical sensors and thin films. He is also an adjunct research professor in the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, where he is working with UMMS researchers to develop methods of preventing infection caused by surgical implants. . . . Nils Ogren has joined Comlase as COO and vice president of operations. Comlase is a Stockholm, Sweden, developer of process technology and equipment for the production of semiconductor lasers and optoelectronic devices. Ogren has more than 25 years of experience in semiconductor process technology and was formerly manager of process integration and quality at Infineon Technologies. In addition to managing day-to-day operations, he will direct the Comlase's diode laser Nitrel passivation service and process equipment operations.