The Cyprus Institute congratulated Moniz yesterday in an announcement.

Moniz helped set up and conceptualise the Cyprus Institute and contributed towards a collaboration agreement between the institute and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and now heads a joint research endeavour on the strategic choices available in relation to the hydrocarbons’ reserves in Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone, an announcement by the Cyprus Institute said yesterday.

Moniz, 69, oversees MIT’s Energy Initiative, a research group that looks at how to produce power while cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

Obama described Moniz as a “brilliant scientist” who can help the US produce more energy and drive financial growth. He has been nominated to head the Department of Energy, where he previously served as undersecretary during the Clinton administration between 1997 and early 2001.

The US Senate must confirm Moniz’s appointment as well as that of Gina MacCarthy whom Obama nominated to run the Environmental Protection Agency.

Cyprus awarded Moniz in 2008 with the Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III for his contribution to research, technology and education.

The Cyprus Institute was formally established in 2005 and started operations in 2007 under the Cyprus Research and Educational Foundation (CREF), governed by a board that includes international academics. It is a non-profit institution aiming to promote research and education in Cyprus and abroad. It collaborates with the MIT, Tel Aviv University and IBM, among others, and launched Cyprus’ first supercomputer in early 2012.

Source: Cyprus Mail