By Emmanouel Sofillas, Asst. Sports Editor and Matty Schule, Staff Writer
In a testament to their exceptional contributions to the field of engineering, two distinguished Manhattan College professors have been awarded with induction into the National Academy of Engineering (NAE).
Sonia Kreidenweis ‘83, Ph.D., who currently teaches at Colorado State University, and Jose E. Tabora, Ph.D., a graduate adjunct faculty member of the School of Engineering, have been recognized for their groundbreaking work and enduring impact on the engineering landscape.
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Tabora, who spent much of his career in the field of chemical engineering research, has been acknowledged for his groundbreaking research in pharmaceutical development. With a career spanning over 17 years at Bristol Myers Squibb, Tabora has made significant strides in data visualization and analysis.
“In all of my projects, I’ve had specific aspects that I’ve enjoyed a great deal and that I believe hold significant value for the organization,” Tabora said. “If I were to summarize my projects, it would be elevating the use of mathematics in chemical engineering, especially within pharmaceutical development.”
Reflecting on his induction into the NAE, Tabora expressed gratitude, stating, “When I heard the news, I got very excited and am very grateful both to the scientific community and to my collaborators.”
Similarly, Kreidenweis, a professor at Colorado State University who graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Manhattan College in 1983, is a chemical engineer renowned for her pioneering work in researching the effect of aerosols on the Earth’s atmosphere.
Kreidenweis’ research has been instrumental in advancing observations for estimating impacts of aerosol emissions on air quality and climate. Her innovations have earned her acclaim and have positioned her as a leading figure in her field.
“My work has focused on how particles in the atmosphere (aerosols), whether from natural or man-made sources, affect the formation of cloud drops, ice crystals, and precipitation,” Kreidenweis said. “Our group has also studied how particles affect visibility, including studying smoke from wildfires. The frameworks we developed have been useful for interpretation of observations and for estimating impacts of changes in aerosol emissions on air quality and climate.”
Upon receiving news of her induction into the NAE, Kreidenweis remarked about her experience as a student at Manhattan College.
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“I was very grateful to have received an academic scholarship to attend Manhattan College, and felt a strong responsibility to work hard to make the most of this opportunity and successfully attain my degree,” Kreidenweis said.
Kreidenweis continued by expressing her gratitude for learning under past professors at Manhattan College, attributing her love for her career to them.
“I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to work on research with Prof. Joe Reynolds and Prof. Lou Theodore,” Kreidenweis said. “They were working in air quality management, which was a very new field at the time, and sparked my interest in environmental applications of chemical engineering. That experience also helped me realize that I enjoyed research, and opened up the possibility of graduate school, which pointed me in an entirely new direction that ended up defining my career path.”
The interim dean of the School of Engineering, Anirban De, Ph.D., expressed his congratulations to Kreidenweis and Tabora.
“The election of two Jasper Engineers into the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) this year exemplifies the high quality of education at Manhattan College and its School of Engineering,” De said. “The tradition of educating the engineering leaders of tomorrow continues and we are especially proud of the fact that this year’s honorees include one alumni and one current faculty member, indicating that the tradition of excellence continues, when it comes to engineering education at Manhattan.”