Dr. Kimel completed his B.S. degree in Materials Science and Engineering at North Carolina State University. He then joined the U.S. Peace Corps and was sent to Swaziland, Africa to teach math, chemistry and physics at the high school level. Upon returning to the states Dr. Kimel completed a M.S. degree in Chemistry from the University of North Carolina Greensboro. He then proceeded to The Pennsylvania State University to complete a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering with a focus in Ceramics. Dr. Kimel joined the Penn State faculty in the summer of 2002 after completing his Ph.D.
Dr. Kimel has created five new lecture and laboratory courses spanning such subjects as materials chemistry, microstructural analysis, quantification of materials properties and materials sustainability.
This faculty member is associated with the Penn State Intercollege Graduate Degree Program (IGDP) in Materials Science and Engineering (MatSE) where a multitude of perspectives and cross-disciplinary collaboration within research is highly valued. Graduate students in the IGDP in MatSE may work with faculty members from across Penn State.
Dr. Kimel’s research interests are twofold. On the education side, Dr. Kimel is interested in curriculum development and outcome assessment. He has worked to incorporate multiple teaching and learning initiatives for better student engagement. Dr. Kimel has also developed summer camp experiences based on nanoscience and nanotechnology and materials in renewable energy to engage high school students and teachers alike.
Dr Kimel is a co-PI in the Energy Efficient Housing Research group (EEHR). The Energy Efficient Housing Research group at Penn State is a multidisciplinary team of faculty, graduate and undergraduate students dedicated to the investigation of energy efficient, affordable and sustainable housing - from design & construction methods through performance optimization – in order to inform better housing solutions and more resource conscious living.
The objective of EEHR is to establish an ongoing multidisciplinary collaboration that engages faculty, graduate students and undergraduates in the design, development and deployment of high-performance, affordable housing to address transforming markets and demographics. A LCA (life cycle assessment) approach that considers planning, design, construction, operations, monitoring, assessment and reflection are used to inform and re-inform affordable, sustainable, energy-efficient housing applying an integrative design process. The projects undertaken by EEHR address applied strategies and solutions for realizing tangible, replicable models for affordable, sustainable housing that are locally appropriate. This interest evolved out of previous experience in the DOE/NREL International Collegiate Solar Decathlon Competition. Over the past few years, EEHR has attracted interest from and established relationships with local affordable housing providers.
Penn State University Undergraduate Leadership Award 2019
Faculty Advising Award, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, 2017
Pennsylvania State University
Department of Materials Science and Engineering Alumnus of the Year, 2017
Pennsylvania State University
Innovative Teaching award (MATSE 492W), College of Earth and 2015
Mineral Sciences, Pennsylvania State University
Gladys Snyder Education Grant, $4000 2010
Development of course called Materials Sustainability and the Environment.
Faculty Homecoming Court 2009
awarded by student nomination.
Wilson Award for Excellence in Teaching 2006
College of Earth and Mineral Sciences.
Honoree, Facilitating Academic Achievement for First Year Students 2006
presented by Penn State University Residence Life and East Halls Residence Life.
Faculty Homecoming Court 2006
inaugural court for faculty, awarded by student nomination.
Invited lecture for Hollidaysburg School System Opening of School Year In-Service 2006
Faculty Mentoring Award 2004
College of Earth and Mineral Sciences.