New Addition to MSE External Advisory Board
Dr. Lei Chen, Associate Director and Discipline Chief of Pratt & Whitney
By Gabriela Esposito, Student Written Communications Assistant
UConn alumnus Lei Chen is the newest addition to the MSE External Advisory Board. The Board comprises more than 10 industry and alumni representatives, serving to provide guidance on our curriculum, support strategic initiatives, and enhance the entire department at the university, state, and national level.
Chen graduated from UConn in 2006 with his master’s in chemical engineering. He has also received degrees from the Harbin Institute of Technology in China, the University of Utah, and Carnegie Mellon University.
With numerous publications and patents, Chen is a researcher, engineer, and entrepreneur. He currently serves as the Associate Director and Discipline Chief of Pratt & Whitney where he leads teams in Surface Engineering and Process Chemistry. In the past, he worked as Associate Director and Project Manager at UTC Climate and spent almost 15 years as a Principal Investigator for the United Technologies Research Center (UTRC).
Lei’s work in the materials engineering industry has been recognized by an R&D 100 Award, UTRC Outstanding Achievement Award, UTC CCS Bravo Award, and UTC, Collins, P&W and Carrier Patent Awards.
Notes Department Head Huey, “As with all of our External Advisory Board members, we are eager to benefit from his expertise, leadership, and advocacy on behalf of our program and especially our students.”
Published: March 31, 2021
Categories: alumni, external advisory board, industry, news
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