The Richard E. Tressler Lectures in Materials honors the very important work of Professor Richard E. Tressler who was head of Penn State's Department of Materials Science and Engineering from 1991-2001. Read more
2022 Tressler Awards
3:05 to 4:20 p.m. on Thursday, March 24
in-person in 101 Ag Science & Industries Building
“A Career in Materials – A Look Back and Forward”
Patrick Yoder, M.S.
Principal Engineering, Refractory and Ceramics, ExonMobil Technology and Engineering Company
Abstract
A background in materials opens doors to many different career paths whether it be research, academia, engineering, business, or entrepreneurship. The skills learned at Penn State provide a strong foundation to lead and succeed through your career journey. Hear from Patrick Yoder ’87 and ’89, Principal Engineer at ExxonMobil about his career, lessons learned, and a look to the future and the critical role of materials and their impact to society.
Biographical Information
Patrick Yoder is a Principal Engineer with ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company with a focus on refractory and ceramic materials. In this role at ExxonMobil, he is responsible for the direction of technology and its application, risk management, enhanced competitiveness, and global strategy.
He is a member of the ACerS, AIST, and API where he is engaged in committee work. Yoder has been awarded several patents related to refractories/ceramics and their application.
Prior to joining ExxonMobil he worked in the refractory industry. In this role, he had various responsibilities starting in R&D and moving through positions in manufacturing, quality control, engineering, and sales and marketing.
Yoder received a B.S. in Ceramic Science and Engineering and an M.S. in Ceramic Science both from Penn State.
3:05 to 4:20 p.m. on Thursday, April 28
in-person in 101 Ag Science & Industries Building
“Computer Brains to Human microBrains™ a Material Sciences Career Adventure”
Robert Petcavich, Ph.D.
Retired Technology Executive
Abstract
Robert Petcavich, Ph.D. will give a presentation on how the multidiscipline training of the Penn State College of Earth and Mineral Sciences led to a lifelong entrepreneurial career of invention, innovation, and inquisitiveness in multiple industries. Starting in the early days of semiconductors and ending with manufacturing human mini brains used for drug discovery. The common denominator in all the examples will be how polymers and material science enabled the commercialization and deployment of products we all have used or experienced in our day to day lives.
Biographical Information
Robert Petcavich, Ph.D. received a B.S. degree in Chemistry in 1976, a M.S. in Solid State Science in 1977, and a Ph.D. in Polymer Science 1980 all from Penn State.
Petcavich holds over 47 issued United States, European and Japanese patents and has 100’s pending and cited worldwide.
During his career he has been involved in over ten high technology start up companies as a founder or senior level executive, four of which were or are listed on NASDAQ.
Petcavich is a Centennial Fellow recipient (1999) from the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences and has previously been an Alumni Scientific Advisor to both the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences and the College of Science.
Past Tressler Awardees
2020: Lawrence Hancock, Ph.D.
2019: Maureen L. Mulvihill, Ph.D.
2019: Amit Das, Ph.D.
2017: Dawne Moffatt-Fairbanks, Ph.D.
2016: Tim Hsu
2016: S. Jill Glass
2015: Curtis Johnson
2015: Joseph Monkowski
2015: Darryl Butt, Ph.D.
2013: Delbert E. Day, Ph.D.
2013: David R. Clarke, Ph.D.
2012: Nancy J. McGinnis
2012: Yet-Ming Chiang
2011: Mildred S. Dresselhaus, Ph.D.
2011: L. Eric Cross, Ph.D.
2011: Donald W. Hamer
2010: Ed Kramer, Ph.D.
2010: Naomi J. Halas, Ph.D.
2010: Gerbrand Ceder, Ph.D.
2010: Joseph A. Miller