Dr. Everett A. Sondreal is the Principal Research Advisor at the EERC. He received his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Michigan and his M.S. and B.S. from UND. Prior to his current position, Dr. Sondreal was the Director of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Grand Forks Energy Technology Center, where he directed the planning and implementation of the DOE-led mission for western U.S. low-rank coals. In 1983, he coordinated the transfer of the Grand Forks Energy Technology Center from DOE to the UND Energy & Environmental Research Center. Between 1984 and 1991, Dr. Sondreal served as President of Coal Energy Technology Consultants, Inc., in Grand Forks, North Dakota. This firm provided consulting services on coal properties and technologies. He also worked as a Development Engineer for DuPont (1960) and as a Nuclear Research Officer in the U.S. Air Force (1957-1960).

Dr. Sondreal's principal areas of interest and expertise are in energy research and development, coal properties, and clean coal technology.

Dr. Sondreal received the U.S. Department of Energy Exceptional Service and Superior Achievement Award in 1982 and 1983. He holds a U.S. patent for the Continuous Liquefaction of Coal, and was Cochair of the DOE/University of North Dakota Lignite Symposium in 1981 and 1983. In addition, he has authored or coauthored over 70 publications on coal properties, coal conversion technology, and environmental control.