ECE Faculty & Staff

Dr. Michael Elta, associate professor of Electrical Engineering
Ph.D. from the University of Michigan in Electrical Engineering, with expertise in solid-state devices, optics, electronics manufacturing and VLSI processing.

Another alumnus, Elta feels Kettering students have an advantage over students at traditional universities in that they gain practical experience from their co-op employment that can be directly related to their field of academic study.

He enjoys interacting with his capable and creative students in small classes, and believes the Kettering experience develops "real world" engineers.

Hidden talents and outside interests: Off campus Elta keeps busy motorcycling, skiing, kayaking and participating in shooting sports and martial arts. His artistic side enjoys photography and music and he keeps his cool by meditating.

Sensor-based electronics manufacturing and control
Controller architecture
Electronic device/IC/process design
equipment modeling & control
flat panel display technologies
In-situ process diagnostic techniques
Laser-based metrology
Plasma modeling
Plasma processing in microelectronics
Real-time equipment control

Dr. Kenneth L. Kaiser, professor of Electrical Engineering
Ph.D. from Purdue University in Electrical Engineering, with expertise in electromagnetic compatibility, applied electrostatics, and electrical safety.

Kaiser sees Kettering students as experienced and able to "get the job done" which he feels is what distinguishes them from students at other universities. The strong emphasis on teaching, the cooperative education program, small class size, and interaction of professors with students all figured highly in Kaiser's decision to teach at Kettering. It is the small class size and experienced students that Kaiser enjoys most.

Hidden talents and outside interests: When not working with his students, Kaiser enjoys painting portraits in oil and beekeeping.

Dr. Jaerock Kwon, Assistant Professor of Computer Engineering

Ph.D. from Texas A&M University in Computer Science and Engineering.

http://www.kettering.edu/~jkwon

Kwon, who received his BS and MS in Electronic Communication Engineering from Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea in 1992 and 1994 respectively, has more than 10 years of industry experience as a research engineer in embedded system software. His research interests are Artificial Intelligent, Computation Neuroscience, Intelligent Systems, and Mobile Robotics. Also Kwon has been working on mobile application development for iOS and Android devices.

Hidden talents and outside interests: Kwon enjoys pencil drawing and oil painting when not teaching. He plays baseball in a Korean team.

Professor McLaughlin received a BS in Mathematics from the University of Michigan in 1960. He received an MSc in Engineering in 1962 from Ohio State University while pioneering radio astronomy instrumentation and data processing research under Professor John D. Kraus. Professor McLaughlin later received a JD with distinction from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan. He is a Michigan Attorney-at-Law, a registered Patent Attorney with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and a Professional Engineer.

After teaching at Kettering for 43 years, Professor McLaughlin was appointed Emeritus Professor of Electrical Engineering. He continues to serve the university as Provost's Counsel and is available for consultation.

Design of radio antennas

Prediction of radio propagation

Electromagnetic compatibility

Dr. Karen Palmer, associate professor of Electrical Engineering
Ph.D. from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Electrical Engineering, with expertise in controls.

A Kettering alumnae, Palmer thinks Kettering students stand out because the cooperative education experience helps them mature quickly. "Our freshmen are like those at other schools," she said, "but by the time they graduate they are years ahead of recent grads from other schools - employers recognize that."

Palmer enjoys working directly with students both in and out of the classroom. She joined Kettering to be part of launching students toward successful careers in academics and industry.

For prospective students Palmer has this to say: "if you know you want to study engineering, science or business you won't find a better school."

Hidden talents and outside interests: Palmer relaxes by bicycle touring, cross-country skiing, hiking, camping and doing handcrafts like quilting and knitting.

Dr. Laura M. Rust, associate professor of Electrical Engineering
Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from New Mexico State University, with expertise in signal processing.

Rust finds Kettering students to be idealists, optimistic and self-assured. She feels that Kettering students are distinguished from students at other universities by their "focus on the world outside of Kettering, in spite of their academic commitments." Rust sees the best part of teaching at Kettering to be the constant change in schedules and she was initially attracted to Kettering because it is a nationally recognized teaching college.

Her hot tip for prospective students is to avoid rushing into choosing a major. Rust's opinion is "how can you choose a major before you have had some experience, either academic or co-op?"

Hidden talents and outside interests: Enjoys cooking, beading, and weather permitting, picnicing.

Fourier transform analysis
Signal processing
Wavelet transform analysis

Dr. Mark G. Thompson, professor of Electrical Engineering
Ph.D. from Michigan State University in Electrical Engineering, with expertise in electronic circuit and system design, automotive electronic systems, and alternative/renewable energy systems.

Thompson sees Kettering students as intelligent, mature and hardworking. What sets Kettering students apart from students at other colleges, he believes, "is that they are employed by a corporate sponsor." It is this cooperative education experience that "tends to give them a more realistic view of their professional career environment and allows them to mature more quickly." Though the small class size and personalized approach to teaching is Thompson's favorite part about teaching at Kettering, he was initially attracted by "the emphasis on laboratory and hands-on activities tied to theoretical understanding."

He would tell prospective students that "choosing a college is an important life decision. It is a very personal decision that no one can make for you. Visit Kettering and any other college that you might consider. Ask questions, talk to people (professors and students), and get a feel for the place. If they have the programs, opportunities, and facilities to fulfill your goals, and you feel comfortable there, you should be able to recognize that you would fit in."

Being a proverbial "absent-minded professor," Thompson was sitting in his office one day "doing what professors do" and completely forgot that he had a class scheduled. About 20 minutes into the scheduled class period, one of his students knocks on the door and says, "Professor, aren't you coming to class?" Thompson jumped up and ran to the classroom but, of course, most students had already departed. He dismissed the rest of them and returned to his office to continue "doing what professors do," only this time with a very red face!

Hidden talents and outside interests: In keeping with his belief in "keeping physically fit to provide maximum enjoyment of life," Thompson enjoys outdoor activities, running to stay in shape, skiing, camping, hiking, and occasional mountain climbing. He keeps a sailboat on Lake Huron and fishes and enjoys boating at his cottage in mid-Michigan.

Automotive electronic systems
Electronic circuit and system design
Fuel cell and hybrid electric vehicles
Integrated sensor technology

Dr. Ravi Warrier, professor of Electrical Engineering
Ph.D. from the University of New Mexico in Electrical Engineering, with expertise in signal processing.

Warrier finds Kettering students to be positive, prepared and perspicacious. He feels that what distinguishes a Kettering student from students at other colleges is that "a Kettering student applies education to real world problems instantaneously." Warrier was originally attracted to teaching at Kettering by the unique learning environment but what became his favorite part of teaching at Kettering is the interaction with the students.

He would tell prospective students to be themselves, "be willing to be challenged and Kettering will open a door for you to a successful career."

Hidden talents and outside interests: When not teaching, Warrier takes part in social and humanitarian activities.

Digital signal processing and controls