Major: Mechanical Engineering
How long have you worked at MSOE?
Since fall of 2004.
What is your favorite subject to teach?
I love thermodynamics! It was my favorite subject as an undergraduate and it still is. Thermodynamics lies at the intersection of abstract principles and useful applications. I particularly like the courses in which the principles of thermodynamics are put to use doing “hands-on” activities with cutting edge technologies.
What is your favorite aspect of teaching?
The gratification I get from seeing the impact I can make on a student’s education, and sometimes on their life trajectory, is what makes teaching the best job in the world for me. I also really enjoy the daily interaction with students. This interaction keeps my mind invigorated and reminds me of the need to remain intellectually curious, not only about developments in my field but also about better ways to engage students to become a more effective teacher.
What is your teaching philosophy?
In a nutshell, the principles that I follow are: (1) give my students a sound methodology; (2) be enthusiastic; (3) engage the students with active learning exercises; (4) be organized and prepared; (5) emphasize the relevance of material; (6) be approachable; (7) utilize modern engineering tools; and (8) communicate high expectations. In addition to these principles, I also try to get my students to spend quality “time on task” as I believe there are few shortcuts to learning engineering. Ultimately, students need to spend ample, focused time with the material outside of class to effectively learn it.
Do you have business, industry or "real-world" experience? How does that help in the class room?
My real-world experience is key to keeping my teaching relevant to modern engineering practice. It allows me to bring examples from my own research and consulting into the classroom. In addition to my ongoing research activities in clean/renewable energy and motor vehicle pollution, I have been working part-time as a principal engineer in an engineering consulting firm since 2004. I have also been employed during eight of the past 10 summers as a visiting scientist/engineer at collaborating universities or government laboratories. I have worked closely with scientists and engineers from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Carnegie Mellon University, the Desert Research Institute, the University of Wisconsin, and the University of California, Berkeley.
Are you involved in any extracurricular activities?
I am very involved with the MSOE student chapter of the Society of Automotive Engineers, serving as the faculty advisor since 2004 and also advising the Supermileage Vehicle Team (2008-present). I have been very involved in bringing renewable energy to MSOE, leading the projects that installed two large solar energy systems on campus, one photovoltaic system and one solar thermal system. I also regularly advise student projects related to clean energy technologies. Outside of my professional life, I love to spend time with my wife and three young children. I am also an avid fisherman, regularly searching for trout and salmon in area rivers and streams.
What do you like most about MSOE?
I like the focus on effective teaching and the small class sizes. The small classes have allowed me to get to know my students—I’ve had students take all seven classes that I regularly teach! Small class sizes and seeing students in multiple classes allows me to make a big impact on their learning.
What do you like most about MSOE students?
I like their work ethic and professional drive. I am often impressed with how hard MSOE students work and the good-natured attitude that they take to their work.
Have you won any awards?
As a college professor I won the 2011 MSOE Karl O. Werwath Engineering Research Award and the 2004 Sierra Nevada College Faculty Distinguished Achievement Award. As a graduate student I was a Society of Automotive Engineers Doctoral Scholar, a University of California, Berkeley Earl C. Anthony Regents Fellow, and a U.S. Department of Education Future Faculty Development Fellow.