BASF’S R&D team has enlisted the expertise of Professor YuZhuo Li (pictured) to lead research activities in the realm of chemical mechanical planarization (CMP). Bringing more than 20 years of research expertise to the company, Professor Li is widely regarded as a leading expert in the area of CMP. 

The Global Semiconductor Alliance (GSA) has appointed new members to its EMEA Leadership Council. The Council supports the GSA’s mission, which is to accelerate growth in the industry through collaboration and innovation. 

Fran Barton (pictured), CFO at UTStarcom, Inc., has been added to both the Board of Directors and the Audit Committee for ON Semiconductor. This news accompanies the announcement that TPG’s John Marren has stepped down from the Board, effective from February 14th. 

Fairchild Semiconductor has appointed Adrian Chu (pictured) to the role of Senior Vice President of the company’s Standard Products Group with immediate effect. He joins Fairchild from NXP Semiconductor, where he held the role of Vice President with responsibility for marketing, accounts and sales for Greater China. 

Last week saw Freescale Semiconductor announce the departure of its CEO Michael Mayer, and the beginning of a search for a replacement leader. The company has revealed the new face of Freescale Semiconductor as Rich Beyer (pictured), who has resigned his role as Intersil CEO to join Freescale. 

Rich Beyer has announced his resignation from the roles of CEO and Director of Intersil to move to lead Freescale as CEO. Replacing Mr. Beyer as CEO is David Bell (pictured), company President and COO since April 2007. 

Dr. Hannes Rosenthaler (pictured), former CFO for the Austrian Energy & Environment AG in Vienna, has joined M+W Zander as Managing Director and also the second position as Managing Director in the Group parent company. He will oversee the finances of the Group jointly with Dr. Wolfgang Häfele. 

MKS Instruments’ headquarters will now be located at 2 Tech Drive, Andover, Mass., following yesterday’s announcement of a change in location. Accompanying this news was the announcement of a new member of the MKS Instruments Board of Directors, namely Dr. Peter Hanley, effective from March 1st, 2008. 

Thomas Breser (pictured) has joined the SUSS MicroTec team as Vice President of Sales, the company announced today. Bringing more than 20 years’ experience to the role, Mr. Breser has held general and sales management, business development and strategic marketing roles with companies such as Leica Microsystems. 

Ellen Harmon has joined ATMI in the roles of Chief Legal Officer, Executive Vice President and Corporate Secretary. These roles will see her devise a legal strategy for the company to ensure cost-effective business operations, bringing years of legal experience to the company.