Dr. Devdas Shetty serves as Dean and Professor at the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences at the University of the District of Columbia, Washington D.C. Dr. Shetty previously served as Dean of Engineering at Lawrence Technological Institute and Dean of Research at the University of Hartford. At the University of Hartford, Dr. Shetty was Director of the Engineering Applications Center, through which he established partnerships with more than 50 Connecticut industries. At Lawrence Technological University, he initiated several new academic programs, established partnerships, and contributed to curricular innovation. Prior to going to Hartford, he held academic positions at the Albert Nerkin School of Engineering at the Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art in New York City. Dr. Shetty is the author of three books and more than 200 scientific articles and has obtained six patents. His research work has been cited for contribution to the understanding of engineering surface measurement, for intellectual achievements in mechatronics, and for contributions to product design. He is the recipient of academic and research grants from organizations such as the National Science Foundation, Society of Manufacturing Engineers, U.S. Army, and U.S. Air Force. Shetty led research efforts in a U.S. Army research project on unmanned aerial vehicles. In partnership with Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, he invented the patented mechatronics process for supporting patients. He has chaired several international conferences and presented keynote lectures. Honors received by Dr. Shetty include the James Frances Bent award for Creativity, the Edward S. Roth National Award for Manufacturing from the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, the American Society of Mechanical Engineering Faculty Award, and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers Honor Award. He is an elected member of the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering.
Richard Kolk is Senior Vice President, Engineering & Technology, of PaceControls. He is a Willis Carrier Fellow and commercial control engineering manager. During his 23-year career with United Technologies and Carrier Corporation, Mr. Kolk has lead PaceControls' research and development team in the development of next-generation products, and in its ongoing joint product development activities. Mr. Kolk earned a B.S.E.E. degree from the University of Connecticut, and an M.S.E.E. degree from California State University-Long Beach. He served as an adjunct professor for over 20 years at the University of Hartford, where he was awarded the Gordon Clark Ramsey Award for Creative Teaching Excellence.
