• 2020 Luminary Award Winner•

Growing up in East Los Angeles, Dr. Thomas I. Valdez won his first science fair in the sixth grade.

Before long he became a student of legendary high school educator Jaime Escalante and was on a path to his advanced degrees from the University of California, Irvine, his doctorate in Material Science at UCLA, and his latest accomplishment an MBA from the University of Loyola, Maryland, Dr. Valdez has been involved in the development of game-changing technologies from the inception of his career, researching direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) technology in the early 90s and leading to multiple patents and professional publications.

His first project at Teledyne Energy Systems was the development of the multi-mission radioisotope thermoelectric generator that still powers the Mars Curiosity Rover on the red planet today.

He has also been crucial in the development of an integrated regenerative fuel cell system planned for NASA’s initiative for Lunar human habitation.

As Dr. Valdez leads Teledyne Energy Systems’ chemical engineering group in the development of fuel cells and electrolyzers, his major contribution has been in leading the development of an untethered subsea power source, the Subsea Supercharger, which will enable the electrification of the subsea oil and gas fields.  

Through this work, Dr. Valdez has fulfilled Teledyne’s adage, from “deep space to deep sea.”