UPB Names Director of Energy Institute

The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford has named Dr. Matt Kropf, a research associate at Penn State University, as director of its Energy Institute.

Kropf currently splits his time between his new role at Pitt-Bradford and finishing a biofuel research project at Penn State. He will begin full-time at Pitt-Bradford in January 2011.

“We’re very fortunate to be able to add to our staff someone with Dr. Kropf’s knowledge and background in both traditional and alternative energy sources,” said Dr. Livingston Alexander, president of Pitt-Bradford.

“I anticipate that his impact will extend well beyond our campus as he lends his expertise to the efforts of the oil and gas industries in our region.”

Kropf holds a patent for a biofuel process he developed as part of his doctoral research at Penn State. Kropf explained that his new process uses both microwaves to heat chemicals and ultrasound to mix them, allowing him to eliminate the use of a dangerous and expensive catalyst.

He holds a doctorate in engineering science and mechanics from Penn State and a bachelor’s degree in physics from the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, Ind.

Originally from Canton, Ohio, Kropf said he has been interested in science since early childhood.

“When I learned that there was a profession that was about learning how things work, I thought, ‘That’s for me,’” he said.

He said he became interested in energy as a field of study during his middle school years, when he came to see the production of clean energy as the scientific community’s next great challenge.

In his role as director, Kropf will work to enhance energy education through the Pitt-Bradford curriculum, working with faculty to help the petroleum technology program better reflect the increased demand for knowledge in gas drilling. He will also work toward creating a bachelor’s degree in energy.

Kropf will work with different sectors of the energy industry to develop partnerships such as internships for energy students. He will also work with the Division of Continuing Education and Regional Development to bring the knowledge presented in its programs (such as Occupational Safety and Health Administration requirements for field workers) to students in the petroleum technology program.

Finally, Kropf will work with facilities management to make the campus more energy efficient.

“It’s a challenge, but also a really good opportunity,” Kropf said of being the first director of the institute and getting its programs put in place.

Established in 2008, the institute has had two interim directors, Dr. James T. Cobb and Dr. Joseph Perez. Perez, a member of the faculty at Penn State University, served as a member of the committee that guided and reviewed Kropf’s doctoral dissertation. He encouraged Kropf to apply for and accept the position as director.

The Energy Institute has received generous support from the American Refining Group and grants from state and federal government.