Lecture schedule:
Tuesday, March 24, 2009, 4:30 p.m., Tagliatela College of Engineering, Room B225: "Professional Ethics in Engineering Practice," with Alfred N. Kovalik, vice-president of GeoDesign, Inc. and Paul K. Taormina, a structural, civil, and mechanical engineering consultant.
Kovalik and Taormina will discuss ethics, including the "code of ethics" for engineers, and will use case studies illustrating examples of questionable behavior encountered during the conduction of a professional engineering practice. Kovalik was recognized in 2008 by "Consulting -Specifying Engineer Magazine" as one of the nation's "top 40" engineers under 40-years-old in the design/building and construction industry. He has been a partner at GeoDesign, Inc., headquartered in Middlebury, Conn., since 2007. GeoDesign specializes in geotechnical, construction support, and environmental engineering. Kovalik received his B.S. in civil engineering from the University of Connecticut and his M.S. in environmental engineering from UNH. He is a professional engineer in eight states and a licensed environmental professional in the state of Connecticut. Taormina owns his own firm that provides structural, civil, and mechanical engineering consulting services rendered for engineered residences and additions and commercial, industrial, and office buildings. He is a professional engineer in Connecticut and in New York. Taormina received his B.S.M.E. and B.A. from Columbia University and B.S.C.E. from UNH. He served as the president of the Connecticut Society of Professional Engineers from 2005-2006 and as the treasurer from 2008-2009.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009, 12:15 p.m., Schumann Auditorium in the Tagliatela College of Engineering, Room B120: "Design, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship," with Ulrick Poulsen, inventor of the Poulsen Hybrid.
Poulsen will discuss his invention, a system that converts conventional cars into battery assisted plug-in hybrid vehicles. This power-assist technology enables cars to become plug-in electric vehicles in less than four hours and has been created for the 70% of Americans who commute less than 30 miles per day. Poulsen is the inventor of the Poulsen Hybrid, co-founder and president of Poulsen Hybrid LLC, and CEO of Bridgeport Magnetics Group, Inc., which specializes in the design and manufacture of both standard and custom design toroidal power transformers, current sensing transformers, and inductors. He has over 25 years of experience in mechanical and electrical engineering and management. Poulsen is the holder of multiple patents for the Poulsen Hybrid and other products that he has invented.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009, 12:15 p.m., Schumann Auditorium in the Tagliatela College of Engineering, Room B120: "Progress Towards Sustainability at Yale: From Theory to Practice," with Dr. Julie Newman, director of the Office of Sustainability at Yale University.
Newman will discuss the theory and application of the principles of sustainability development as it relates to institutional change, decision-making processes, and strategic planning on a university campus. Newman will focus on the challenge of developing a sustainable campus at Yale University and provide insights into the processes that are being established there, along with recommendations and strategies for implementation. Newman is the first director of the Office of Sustainability at Yale University. She has 15 years of experience in the field, including working for University Leaders for a Sustainable Future and assisting in the development of the Office of Sustainability Programs at the University of New Hampshire. Newman holds a lecturer appointment with the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, where she teaches an undergraduate course entitled: "Sustainability: From Theory to Practice in Institutions." She is the co-founder of the Northeast Campus Sustainability Consortium, which advances education and action for sustainable development on university campuses in the northeast and maritime region. Newman also serves as the co-editor of Sustainability: Journal of Record. She received her B.S. in natural resource policy and management from the University of Michigan, her M.S. in environmental policy and biology from Tufts University, and her Ph.D. in natural resources and environmental studies from the University of New Hampshire.