Directory

Dr. Ahmad Pourmovahed, professor of Mechanical Engineering
Ph.D. from University of Wisconsin-Madison in Mechanical Engineering, with expertise in energy systems and sustainable energy.

Pourmavohead appreciates his students' seriousness and innovation, but finds the humor in working with overly courteous students. For example, he volunteered a class to help out with the energy grid at Mott Farm, a teaching farm. One student took a wrong turn and wound up volunteering at the neighboring historical village all day instead - too polite to tell his hosts he was in the wrong place.

Currently coordinating Kettering's pre-college program on sustainable energy, Pourmovaded is expanding his influence to high school-aged students interested in alternative energy as a field of study.

His advice to prospective students is "always go with your dream."

Hidden talents and outside interests: When not busy with students of any age, Pourmovahed enjoys traveling and meeting new people.

Energy storage
Energy systems design and usage
Fluid system evacuation
Hybrid vehicles
Powertrain simulation
Thermal systems analysis

Dr. Andrzej Przyjazny, Professor of Analytical Chemistry
Ph.D. in Chemistry from Southern Illinois University, with expertise in analytical chemistry.

Przyjazny views Kettering students as motivated, serious and competitive. Kettering students are adept at getting the most value out of their tuition dollar by getting as much education as they can; this sets them apart from students at other universities. He enjoys teaching at Kettering because of the small class sizes, which allow him to get to know all of his students personally, and the opportunity to perform directed research with Chemistry majors. It was Przyjazny's technical background (he has an undergraduate degree in chemical engineering) that initially interested him in teaching at Kettering.

He once asked his students what is the logarithm of zero and one student replied, "Error." It was obvious that the student had used his calculator!

His hot tip for prospective students is to "enroll for three reasons: the cooperative education experience; small class sizes; and all courses are taught by professors, not teaching assistants."

Hidden talents and outside interests: Przyjazny has diverse interests outside of Kettering. He is an avid reader, with history being his favorite topic. He also likes to play bridge with Professor Reg Bell on the AC Delphi/Kettering bridge league.

Analytical chemistry
Chromatography
Environmental chemistry
Environmental issues
Separation science

Dr. Montserrat Rabago-Smith, Assistant Professor of Bio-organic Chemistry
Ph.D. in Chemistry from Michigan State University, with expertise in organic chemistry and bioorganic chemistry.

Rabago-Smith finds Kettering students hardworking, smart and distinguished from students at other universities by their motivation and how hard they study. She was first attracted to teaching at Kettering because it is a small university with "a very good batch of students" and it is the interaction with these students that keeps her here.

Hidden talents and outside interests: When not teaching or working with students, Rabago-Smith enjoys activities such as Aikido, camping, hiking, swimming, and reading.