Dr F. Eugenio Villaseca Ph.D.

Dr. F. Eugenio Villaseca, Ph.D.

Professor Emeritus, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Cleveland State University
Researcher | Educator | Academic Advisor

Overview

Dr. F. Eugenio Villaseca is Professor Emeritus of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Cleveland State University, where he served as a faculty member, researcher, and academic advisor from 1981 until his retirement in 2015. Over a career spanning more than five decades, Dr. Villaseca established himself as a respected authority in the fields of high-power electronics, power systems, and systems control, with a particular focus on real-time applications and system optimization. His scholarly contributions, combined with his enduring commitment to student mentorship and educational leadership, have left a deep and lasting impact on the engineering community in both the United States and Latin America.

Academic Background

Dr. Villaseca’s academic journey began in Valparaíso, Chile, where he earned a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the prestigious Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María in 1963. His early professional experiences in South America provided a strong foundation in traditional power systems, and he quickly developed a reputation for his technical rigor and problem-solving abilities.

In pursuit of advanced study and broader academic challenges, he relocated to the United States. He earned his M.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Notre Dame in 1969, deepening his expertise in electromagnetics, circuit theory, and electrical machines. His passion for research and innovation eventually led him to Arizona State University, where he completed his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering in 1980, focusing on control theory and high-power conversion systems.

These formative years of education across three countries shaped Dr. Villaseca’s holistic and global approach to engineering, one that would influence his teaching and research for decades to come.

Academic and Research Career at Cleveland State University

Dr. Villaseca joined Cleveland State University’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in 1981. Over 34 years of continuous service, he played a critical role in building and modernizing the department’s curriculum, research capabilities, and student advising programs.

His research interests centered around the following core areas:

• High-Power Electronics: Converter design, multilevel inverter systems, switching strategies, and system integration.

• Power Systems: Dynamic modeling, grid stability, power flow analysis, and FACTS (Flexible AC Transmission Systems) devices.

• Systems Control: Real-time control systems, sensor failure detection, and control fault tolerance in embedded and industrial environments.

Dr. Villaseca served as principal or co-principal investigator on several externally funded research projects, securing support from federal and institutional partners such as:

• NASA Glenn Research Center

  • Reliability of Protective Devices and Sources for Space Station Applications

  • Comparative Study of Energy Storage Technologies for Space Applications

  • Parallel Computing Strategies for Real-Time Expert Systems

• Cleveland Clinic Foundation

  • Design and Testing of a Real-Time Blood Volume Monitoring System for Cardiac Surgery

• Advanced Manufacturing Center

  • Sensor Failure Detection and Accommodation in Industrial Control Systems

These projects explored interdisciplinary applications of electrical engineering in areas ranging from aerospace systems to medical instrumentation and industrial automation. Dr. Villaseca’s research was known for integrating theoretical rigor with practical relevance, and he was often praised for his ability to mentor graduate students through complex, real-world engineering problems.

Publications and Scholarship

Dr. Villaseca is the co-author of several technical books and numerous peer-reviewed journal articles and conference proceedings. His most prominent published works include:

• Multilevel Converters: An Innovative Approach, VDM Verlag, 2009
  Co-authored with Rajmohan Rangarajan, this work presents new switching strategies and control topologies for multilevel power converters operating with unequal DC sources.

• Dynamic Modeling and Analysis of FACTS Controllers, Lambert Academic Publishing, 2012
  Co-authored with Bharat Vyakaranam, this book addresses dynamic harmonic modeling of power flow controllers, offering innovative insights into grid reliability and power electronics integration.

His academic papers have appeared in respected journals such as Electric Power Systems Research and IEEE conference proceedings. Notable topics include:

• Harmonic modeling of embedded power electronics systems

• Biogeography-based optimization for power flow analysis

• Byzantine fault tolerance in grid monitoring systems

• Optimal bidding strategies in deregulated electricity markets

These works have been widely cited and continue to serve as references for engineers, researchers, and graduate students in the field of power systems.

Teaching and Mentorship

Dr. Villaseca’s legacy as a professor extends well beyond research. He was a dedicated and highly respected educator who taught core undergraduate and graduate courses such as:

• Power Electronics

• Power Systems Control

• High-Power Electronics Design

• Nonlinear Systems

• Electric Machines

His instructional style was characterized by clarity, rigor, and a deep understanding of how abstract theory connects to practical application. He developed and modernized course content to include simulation-based learning, hands-on laboratory modules, and industry case studies.

As an academic advisor, Dr. Villaseca mentored dozens of master’s and doctoral students—many of whom now hold leadership roles in academia, industry, and government institutions. His mentoring philosophy emphasized critical thinking, professional ethics, and lifelong learning. He often worked with students on co-authored publications, industry-funded projects, and IEEE conference presentations.

Dr. Villaseca also served as a long-standing faculty advisor to Cleveland State’s IEEE Student Chapter, promoting student engagement with the professional community.

Honors and Professional Involvement

Dr. Villaseca’s achievements have been recognized through numerous awards and professional memberships, including:

• IEEE Life Member (since 2010)

• Outstanding Engineer of the Year, IEEE Cleveland Section (1996)

• Outstanding Faculty Awards, CSU Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (1991, 1996, 2009, 2013)

• Member, Tau Beta Pi – Engineering Honor Society

• Member, Eta Kappa Nu – Electrical Engineering Honor Society

He was invited to participate in several national initiatives related to engineering education reform, including:

• NSF-DOE Workshop on Innovative Power Engineering Education (1995)

• NSF Workshop on Power Electronics Curriculum Development (1996)

• IEEE Power Engineering Society Chapters Congress (Denver, 1996)

His contributions in these forums focused on curriculum modernization, laboratory design, and preparing students for emerging challenges in power and control engineering.

Retirement and Ongoing Impact

In 2015, Dr. Villaseca retired from Cleveland State University after 34 years of service, earning the title of Professor Emeritus. Upon retirement, he was honored by students, colleagues, and alumni for his remarkable service and mentorship.

He continues to engage in academic consulting, mentoring, and writing. His influence persists in the educational programs he helped design, the research he published, and the generations of students he mentored. His former students continue to cite his guidance as formative in their careers, and his published work remains relevant in the rapidly evolving landscape of smart grids, energy storage, and control systems.

Legacy

Dr. F. Eugenio Villaseca exemplifies the highest standards of academic and professional excellence. His work bridged the gap between research and application, theory and practice, and education and industry. As a scholar, advisor, and advocate for accessible, forward-looking engineering education, his contributions continue to resonate.

At institutions like the eGeneration Foundation, where innovation, mentorship, and global impact are foundational values, Dr. Villaseca’s career serves as a model of what sustained, thoughtful leadership in engineering can achieve.

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