|
|
|
Dr. Beckman received his BS degree in chemical
engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in
1980. Following graduation, he joined Monsanto Plastics and
Resins, working on nylon resin product and process
development. |
 |
| |
|
| In 1981, he moved to Union Carbide Corporation, performing
technical service work for the urethane intermediates group
(Tarrytown, NY). Doctoral work at the University of
Massachusetts in polymer science followed, where he received
his Ph.D. (on the thermodynamics of C02-polymer
mixtures) in 1988. After postdoctoral supercritical
fluids, Dr. Beckman assumed his faculty position at the
University of Pittsburgh (1989). He was promoted to
associate professor in 1994, and full professor in 1997. Dr.
Beckman received a Young Investigator Award for the National
Science Foundation in 1992, and the Presidential Green
Chemistry Award in 2002.
In 2000,
Dr. Beckman was named the first Bayer Professor of Chemical
Engineering at the University. He has supervised 23 Ph.D.
students and 13 postdoctoral associates. In 2002, Dr.
Beckman became Chair of Chemical Engineering, having served
as Associate Dean for Research. Dr. Beckman has published
over 150 papers and holds 20 patents on the use of CO2 as a solvent and raw material in chemical processing.
http://www.engr.pitt.edu/chemical/people/faculty/beckman_eric.html
|
| |
|
|
Gena M. Kovalcik |
| Co
director |
|
Administration and External Relations |
|
Phone: 412.624.9698 |
|
E-Mail:
Kovalcik@engr.pitt.edu |
Gena
Kovalcik rejoined the School of Engineering in July 2003
as co-director of the Mascaro Sustainability Initiative. She has 10 years experience in development, marketing and
external relations. |
 |
| |
|
She
previously served as Vice President for Development at
Shady Side Academy and prior as
the Senior Executive Director of Development and Alumni
Relations for the School of Engineering at the University
of Pittsburgh. Prior to her tenure at Pitt, she managed
donor relations and special events at Carnegie Mellon
University. A native of Pittsburgh, Gena holds a B.A.
from Penn State University in Journalism and Political
Science and a Master's of Management and Public Policy
with a certificate in Non-Profit Management from the
University of Pittsburgh. In 1997, Gena received the Outstanding Young Woman Professional Award.
|
|
| |
Laura Schaefer
Deputy Director
Phone: 412.624.9793
E-Mail: laschaef@engr.pitt.edu
Laura Schaefer is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. She received a BS in Mechanical Engineering and a BA in English from Rice University in 1995, and received both her MS and Ph.D. degress from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1997 and 2000, respectively. Dr. Schaefer currently conducts energy systems research in areas such as two-phase binary zeotropic flow in microchannels, flat-tube solid oxide fuel cell heat and mass transfer modeling, manufacturing and operational heat transfer characterization for three-dimensional chip architectures, microscale PEM fuel cell heat and water management issues, and hybrid fuel cell-turbine power generation life-cycle assessment and optimization. In conducting this research, she directs an integrated team of undergraduates, graduate students, and post-doctoral researchers. Dr. Schaefer received a CAREER Award from NSF and the New Investigator Award from the Amercian Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). She serves as the faculty advisor for the student chapter of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and faculty counselor for the Society of Women Engineers (SWE). Dr. Schaefer holds various offices in the Advanced Energy Systems Division of ASME.
Melissa Bilec
Assistant Director for Educaiton and Outreach
Phone: 412.648.8075
Email: mbilec@engr.pitt.edu
From a broad perspective, Dr. Bilec's research and teaching interests encompass engineering issues related to sustainability, green design, and construction. Her recent research efforts include not only creating a practical framework for hybrid life cycle assessment modeling, including uncertainty and visualizations, but also modeling on-site construction processes and support services. She is conducting research related to green building metrics to understand and evaluate high-performance buildings. Dr. Bilec has experience in funding and managing sustainable transportation projects, including the Hot Metal Pedestrian Bridge project.
Several of Dr. Bilec's specific research topics include:
- Hybrid life cycle assessment modeling
- Modeling environmental impacts of building construction, including support sector
- Project delivery methods and green buildings
- Green building metrics
- Analyzing the design and construction processes of green buildings with a focus on Children's Hospitals
- Greening government initiatives and strategies
|
