Dr. Ken graduated from UB with Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering in 2001. His dissertation focused on developing effective ways to trade accuracy and efficiency in a multidisciplinary design optimization problem. During his graduate studies, he also worked as a programmer analyst for ChoiceOne Online from 1996-2001, developing websites and web-based systems. This background has provided an excellent foundation for his research. Since 2001, he has worked at the New York State Center for Engineering Design and Industrial Innovation (NYSCEDII), a research center located at UB with a focus on developing leading edge technologies to advance the state of the art in engineering design. As a research staff member, he works on academic and industrial projects and often has the privilege of teaching a course as an adjunct faculty member of the Department of Mechanical Engineering.

He believes that continuing advances in information technology are just as important to improving engineering design as physics, chemistry, biology, and mathematics. As a result, he has focused my research interests on developing methodologies that promote innovation in engineering design through the strategic application of cyberinfrastructure. Specifically, his research focuses on: 

•           Multidisciplinary Design Optimization
•           Concept Generation and Digital Design Repositories
•           Visualization and Decision Making in Engineering Design
•           Leveraging Cyberinfrastructure in Engineering Education
•           Engineering Design using Commodity Systems

He also has a significant interest in promoting engineering as a career option. Each year, he organizes NYSCEDII's HS Workshop, a great opportunity to introduce high school students to engineering design.