Brian Bauer is a key component of the Smith School’s commitment to experiential learning, joining other professors of practice in bringing a wealth of industry experience to the classroom.
With a distinguished 25-year career in international energy at BP Plc and a subsequent decade focused on energy, sustainability, and entrepreneurship at Cornell, Bauer is a seasoned leader with a deep understanding of the industry. A Cornell alumnus and holder of an MBA from the University of Chicago, he has held leadership roles across the globe and played a pivotal role in building the region’s energy innovation ecosystem.
Bauer is a core member of the ChemE 4620 teaching team, where he guides students in assessing the commercial potential of groundbreaking technologies, such as the promising sustainability and energy advancements emerging from the Hanrath Lab. “It’s incredibly rewarding to work with our senior chemical engineers on real-world challenges as they translate lab discoveries into viable business opportunities,” Bauer said.
Beyond the classroom, Bauer has taken on a leadership role in shaping the future of the Master of Engineering program. As associate director, he is instrumental in implementing a cohort-based curriculum focused on industry-critical areas like data science, process optimization, and energy economics. The program culminates in a team-based project designed to address real-world client needs.