Mark T. Holtzapple
Mark T. Holtzapple is Professor of Chemical Engineering at Texas A&M University.
In 1978, he received his B.S. in chemical engineering from Cornell University.
In 1981, he received his Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania. His Ph.D.
research focused on developing a process to convert fast-growing poplar trees
into ethanol fuel. After completing his formal education, in 1981 Mark joined the U.S. Army and
helped develop a portable backpack cooling device to alleviate heat stress in
soldiers wearing chemical protective clothing. After completing his military service, in 1986 Mark joined the Department of
Chemical Engineering at Texas A&M University. It quickly became apparent
that he had a passion for teaching: within a two-year period he won nearly every
major teaching award offered at Texas A&M including Tenneco Meritorious
Teaching Award, General Dynamics Excellence in Teaching Award, Dow Excellence
in Teaching Award, and two awards offered by the Texas A&M Association of
Former Students. Mark particularly has a passion for teaching freshman engineering
students. He wrote this book to excite students about engineering. In addition to his role as an educator, Mark is a prolific inventor. He is
developing an energy-efficient, ecologically friendly air-conditioning system
that uses water instead of Freon as the working fluid. He is also developing
a high-efficiency, low-pollution Brayton cycle engine suitable for automotive
use. In addition, he is developing technologies for converting waste biomass
into useful products, such as animal feeds, industrial chemicals, and fuels.
To recognize his contributions in biomass conversion, in 1996 he received the
Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award offered by the President and Vice
President of the United States. W. D. Reece
Dr. Reece is a Professor in the Nuclear Engineering Department and Director of the Nuclear
Science Center at Texas A&M University. He received his Bachelor of Chemical Engineering, Master of Science in Nuclear Engineering, and Ph.D.
in Mechanical Engineering all at the Georgia Institute of Technology. He has
worked as an analytical chemist, a chemical engineer, and a staff scientist
at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, before his current positions at
Texas A&M. Much of Dr. Reece's research is in the area of radiation monitoring, novel
uses of radiation in medicine, and the health effects of radiation. Like Dr.
Holtzapple, he has a passion for teaching and has won a Distinguished Teaching
Award from the Texas A&M Association of Former Students. Dr. Reece teaches
many topical courses in dosimetry and health physics, has an active consulting
business, and, whenever his schedule allows him free time, enjoys backpacking,
playing tennis, and running. His greatest enjoyment comes from his children, his students, and the advances
in medicine and worker protection he has helped to make.
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