Mr. Jerome C. Schutzler (Aerospace Engineering 61, 'Engineering Mechanics 64), co-founder, Spectral Engineering Inc. was one of twenty-two Penn State alumni who were honored on October 26, 2006, as Penn State Alumni Fellows.

Dr. Robert T. McGrath currently serves as Senior Vice President for Research at The Ohio State University where he is responsible for the University’s strategic research planning and for operation of the University’s half-billion dollar research program. He also holds appointments as Professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering and the Department of Physics. Dr. McGrath previously served as Associate Vice President for Research and Director of Strategic and Interdisciplinary Initiatives at Penn State from 1999 to 2004. Beginning in 1998 and continuing into 2004, Dr. McGrath proudly held an appointment as Professor of Engineering Science and Mechanics and maintained continual involvement with students and sponsored research. Dr. McGrath previously served on the Nuclear Engineering faculty from 1980 through 1984.

John A. Larock Jr. has worked as a product development engineer, Engineering Mechanics consultant, and a recruiting manager over his 17-year career at DuPont. Currently, he is a Human Resources Manager for the DuPont Ink Jet business. He also serves as Executive Director for First State Robotics, a non-profit organization he created to excite students of all ages to pursue science and technology careers through robotics. Through this organization, he has led a high school robotics team for seven years, coordinated and run robotics events for thousands of students, and developed a literacy program for young children focusing on early reader and coloring books about robots. He was recognized as a state of Delaware Jefferson Award finalist (2006), Regional Volunteer of the Year (2003) and Woodie Flowers Regional Award winner (2006) by FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), the robotics education organization founded by Dean Kamen, inventor of the Segway Human Transporter.

November 1, 2006, 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM in S-5 Osmond Building

Speaker: John A. White, Ph.D., Chair ad interim, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University

Note: This seminar will be available as an open broadcast to the Penn State community at:

https://breeze.psu.edu/neuralengineeringseminar2/

You will need a sound card and speakers to view this properly. We will have this broadcast in room H4151 at Hershey.

Dr. White is one of the world's leaders in biomedical engineering, and is an expert on the experimental real time dynamic clamping of neurons, and the computational and theoretical aspects of synchrony between neurons. His work is of broad interest to the Science and Engineering community at Penn State.

Abstract:

The hippocampal formation is crucial for remembering epidodes in one's life, and evidence suggests that synchronous activity throughout the hippocampus is essential for the mnemonic functions of this brain structure. We have studied the mechanisms of synchronization using electrophysiological and computational methods. More recently, we have exploited methods for introducing real-time control in cellular electrophysiology. These techniques allow us to "knock in" virtual ion channels that can be controlled with great mathematical precision, and to immerse biological neurons in real-time, virtual neuronal networks. These manipulations allow us to test computationally-based hypotheses in living cells. From this work, I will discuss which properties of single cells seem crucial for coherent activity in the hippocampal formation. I will also discuss work on the consequences of precise spike timing in neuronal network function.

Future Neural Engineering Seminar Speakers:

November 15 - Jian-Young Wu of Georgetown University

November 29 - Diego Contreras, University of Pennsylvania,

December 13 - Tarik Haydar, Childen's National Medical Center/George Washington University

Dr. Krishna Kandarpa has been selected as a 2007 College of Engineering Outstanding Engineering Alumnus. He will be one of ten honorees recognized in the College this year for their professional achievements. Dr. Kandarpa earned his Ph.D. in Engineering Science and Mechanics in 1975. Dr. Kandarpa is Professor and Chair of the Department of Radiology at the University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS) and Radiologist-in-Chief at the UMass Memorial Medical Center.

He will be recognized, along with other honorees, at a two-day Outstanding Engineering Alumnus Event scheduled for April 22-23, 2007.

Further information will be available at a later date.

The Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics maintains an active and continuous faculty search for qualified candidates to attract a diverse applicant pool. Our current search focuses is in the area Computational Mechanics which has been identified as a strategic need in the department's Strategic Plan.

We encourage you to view both our Strategic Plan as well as the current position announcement.

Dr. Sudhir ‘Sid’ Kumar is Founder, Chairman and President of Tranergy Corporation, Bensenville, IL, a company dedicated to innovative technology for improving railroad energy efficiency, productivity, and safety. He is a recognized world authority in mechanics of wheel rail interaction. Dr. Kumar was the Director of the Academy of Railroad Engineering and a Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the Illinois Institute of Technology for 24 years and Chairman for eight years. Prior to that, he was an Associate Director of Engineering Sciences in the U.S. Army Research Office and also served on the Civil Engineering Faculty of Duke University. Dr. Kumar served as an Advisor to the Ministry of Railways of China and India. He trained railway officers from China, India, Africa, and the Middle East. He also started Friction Management Services, LLC, a joint venture of Tranergy and Timken Co. Dr. Kumar invented and developed several systems currently used by railroads. These include TracGlide, YardGlide, SwitchEnhancer, CurvGlide, and SwitchCurvGlide.

Dr. Srikanth Krishnan received his B.Tech in Electrical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras (India), (1985), and his M.S. (1988) and Ph.D. (1992) degrees in Engineering Science at The Pennsylvania State University with emphasis on Ion Beam interaction with Silicon. Subsequently, he joined the Plasma Etch group at the Semiconductor Process and Design Center (SPDC), Texas Instruments, to research plasma damage effects on transistor performance. In 1998, he joined the Reliability Group within Texas Instruments and led the 130 nm component reliability effort.

Barbara A. Shaw, Professor of Engineering Science and Mechanics and Elzbieta Sikora, Research Associate in Engineering Science and Mechanics will be presenting papers and a poster at the 210th meeting of the Electrochemical Society in Cancun, Mexico, October 28 - November 8, 2006.

B.A. Shaw (presenter), RG. Wolfe, E.Sikora, Localized Corrosion of Mg-Y-Ti Thin Film Alloys, abstract 907, 210th meeting of the Electrochemical Society, Cancun Mexico (to be presented on November 1, 2006.).

E. Sikora (presenter), B.A. Shaw, M. Horn, J. Petrilli, S. Purcel, N. Pytel , I. Gilchrist, and Mark Matthews, “Electrochemical and Microstructure Study of New Thin-Film Magnesium Alloys for Biomedical Applications”, abstract number 679, 210th meeting of the Electrochemical Society, Cancun Mexico (to be presented on October 31, 2006).

E. Sikora, B.A. Shaw, M. Horn, J. Petrilli, S. Purcel, N. Pytel , I. Gilchrist, and Mark Matthews, “Responsive Structured Thin-Film Mg Alloys for Biomedical Applications” 210th meeting of the Electrochemical Society, Cancun Mexico (to be presented jointly by B. A. Shaw and E. Sikora on October 31, 2006.

Cobalt Energy, a Reno Nevada technology development company, with funding assistance from the Sierra Pacific Power and Nevada Power Companies, has recently developed a new advanced electric generator for substantially increasing energy production in wind turbines. The new generator utilizes a specialized patented construction that allows it to generate electrical power with much higher efficiency than conventional generators. The prototype generator was designed by Dr. Rick Campbell and Tim Rodgers of Cobalt Energy. The generator was subsequently dynamometer tested by Professor Andrzej Trzynadlowski and his team at the Electrical Engineering Department at the University of Nevada, Reno, to accurately measure the efficiency.

Speaker: Dr. Cameron C. McIntyre, Ph.D., Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Department of Biomedical Engineering

Abstract:

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an established therapy for Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, and dystonia. DBS also shows promise in the treatment of epilepsy, obsessive-compulsive disorder, tourette syndrome, and major depression. While clinically successful, understanding of the therapeutic mechanisms of action of DBS remains elusive and from an engineering perspective, it is presently unclear what electrode designs and stimulation strategies are optimal for maximum therapeutic benefit. Through collaborative interaction with neurophysiologists, neurologists, and neurosurgeons our group uses detailed computer models and experimental investigation to enhance our understanding of the effects of DBS. This talk will focus on how we are translating our scientific knowledge into technologies that improve clinical care.

Future Neural Engineering Seminar Speakers:

John White, Boston University---November 1, 2006

Jian-Young Wu, Georgetown University---November 15, 2006

Diego Contreras, University of Pennsylvania---November 29, 2006

Tarik Haydar, Children's National Medical Center/ George Washington University---December 13, 2006

Watch for more information!

Heather R. (Williams) Kriebel graduated from the Engineering Science and Mechanics Department in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Science, and in 1999 with a Master of Science degree in Engineering Science. In June 1999, she accepted a position with the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Indian Head, Maryland. Working in the mechanical properties laboratory, Ms. Kriebel provides data needed to qualify new propellant and explosives and to evaluate aging rocket motors for extended service life predictions. During her seven years of employment, she has received the Roger M. Smith Team Award several times for work completed on key programs such as a newly developed propellant to support soldiers in Afghanistan.

Edward R. Kimmel received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and an M.S. in Metallurgy from the University of Rochester in 1961 and 1963, respectively. He joined the Engineering Science and Mechanics Faculty in 1966, and earned his Ph.D. in Engineering Mechanics from The Pennsylvania State University in 1968. In 1977, he took a position at OSRAM Sylvania, Inc. (then GTE Sylvania, Inc.) as a Research Scientist focusing on tungsten, tungsten carbide (WC), and cobalt. He later gained manufacturing experience in the Refractory Chemicals and Powders Business Unit, where he spent ten years initially as Engineering Manager and later as Operations Manager. He retired in 2003 from the position of Director of Research and Engineering, which he held the last six years with OSRAM Sylvania.

Dr. Krishna Kandarpa (B.S., Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, Washington University, St. Louis; Ph.D., Engineering Science and Mechanics, Penn State, 1975) obtained his M.D. from the University of Miami and completed his residencies at Presbyterian-University Hospital in Pittsburgh (Internal Medicine), and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston (Radiology), where he also completed his fellowship in Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology in 1986. He became Assistant and Associate Professor of Radiology at Harvard and served on the faculty of the Harvard-Massachusetts Institute of Technology Health Sciences and Technology Program. Dr. Kandarpa was hospital co-director of Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology at Brigham and Women’s from 1991-1998 and co-director of Brigham and Women’s Vascular Center in 1992.

Commander J. Michael Johnson received his Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Mechanics in December 1967 and concurrently was commissioned as Ensign in the U.S. Navy. Following his initial sea tour on destroyers, he earned a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA, and was designated a Naval Engineering Duty Officer specializing in submarines. Over the next 14 years, he managed the engineering and maintenance of submarines and naval nuclear propulsion plants at submarine bases, the Naval Shipyards, and the Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington DC.

The Center for Neural Engineering will be hosting numerous seminars throughout the semester. Please stay tuned for notices. For convenience select CNE seminars when reading the What's New page.

Dr. John R. Hummel received his B.S. degree in Engineering Science with Honors Option (1973), a M.S. in Meteorology from Penn State in 1975 and a PhD in Atmospheric Science from the University of Michigan (1978). Following his PhD, he was employed until 1981 in the Physics Department at the General Motors Research Laboratory conducting climate research, including evaluations of the greenhouse effect impacts of proposed freon gas replacements and carbon dioxide. From 1981 to 1988, he worked at OptiMetrics, Inc. and from 1988 and 1994 at SPARTA, Inc. on programs analyzing the impacts of environmental processes on military systems and operations.

Robert J. Huemmrich graduated from Penn State University in 1969 in Engineering Science, the honors program for the College of Engineering. He did graduate work at Case Western Reverse University in Biomedical Engineering, and obtained an Executive M.B.A. from the University of Pittsburgh in 1986. He is currently taking courses in economic development at the Heinz School at Carnegie Mellon University.

Mr. Huemmrich worked for 20+ years as a project manager or manager in Healthcare Information Technology. He developed two massive healthcare data collection systems related to utilization/cost containment for federal and state governmental agencies, and he held executive and/or marketing positions with several small Information Technology start-ups. He is a founding investor in the Western PA Adventure Capital Fund, an angel venture capital fund, and has made over a dozen venture capital investments.