Biography
Al Center is the first Professor of Practice in the Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. He is also an Executive Consultant with Pathfinder LLC in areas of project management.
After graduation from Cornell, Al worked principally in the downstream area of the hydrocarbons industry mostly with Caltex Petroleum Corporation in both overseas and domestic positions dealing with technology and technology management. He retired from Caltex at the end of 1998 after a number of years as the Manager of Engineering and Construction at Caltex.
As a Professor of Practice academic duties include:
- Teaching Senior and M.Eng level courses that transition the students from Engineering Science to Engineering Practice
- Sponsoring Masters of Engineering projects in the area of process development and process improvement
Research Interests
- Sustainable Energy Systems
Teaching Interests
Select Awards and Honors
- Professional Engineer, State of New Jersey 1985
- Raymond G. Thorpe Lecturer, School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University 2011
- Erskine Fellow, University of Canterbury 2011, 2013
- Professor who most significantly contributed to college experience, Merrill Presidential Scholar 2005
Education
- B.S., Chemical Engineering, Cornell University 1965
- M.Eng., Chemical Engineering, Cornell University 1966
- Management Program for Executives, Business Administration, University of Pittsburgh 1979