Dr. Frank Duda

Professional work experience:
-  US Naval Research Lab, Washington D.C.  Conducted research on over-the-horizon radar.
-  NASA, Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards Air Force Base, CA, Developed a proprietary memory system used on the space shuttle program.
-  Consultant to several US Government Research Labs in the Pittsburgh area including the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Pittsburgh Research Laboratory.  Developed engineering controls to make the workplace, particularly coal mines, safer.

Degrees:  BSEE, MSEE, PhD in Electrical Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh

Research and project interests:
-  Development of engineering controls on mining machinery using signal processing algorithms to reduce noise exposure of underground coal miners.
-  Development of a safer workplace (specifically in coal mines) by studying the applications and reliability of molded case circuit breakers in reducing “arc flash” incidences.
-  Investigation of safety issues, and proposing and developing mitigation strategies for hazards arising from the introduction of wireless communication tracking systems in underground coal mines.
-  Assisting Ugandan educators in developing applied secondary science education for girl students in rural Uganda since 2000.  The project entails 1) constructing science lab facilities, 2) purchasing chemistry, physics and biology lab supplies and books, 3) purchasing a research grade inverted objective microscope and digital camera system 4) purchasing and integrating computers into the curriculum, and 5) offering teachers seminars to instruct the teachers on using the equipment and to introduce novel ways of teaching applied science with minimal resources.

Hobbies & interests:  Visiting Civil War battlefields, collecting vintage digital equipment, RV camping, attending HAM radio conventions.

Recent publications: 

1.  Implementation of a Partnership to Improve Applied Science Education Among Women in Uganda, ASEE (American Society of Engineering Educators) Conference Proceedings, Duda,F., Greninger, N., Idowu, P., Lauffer, D., Honolulu, Hawaii, June,2007.
2. A Strategy to Provide a Sustainable Supply of Safe Water to a Typical Rural Ugandan Community: An Engineering Case Study, CEEC (Christian Engineering Educators Conference) Conference Proceedings, Duda, F., Greninger, N., Lauffer, D., Hodgetts, G., West, J., Chicago, Illinois, June, 2006.
3. A Proposal for Partnership with Makerere University Toward Addressing Fading Interest in Science Education in Rural Western Uganda, ASEE (American Society of Engineering Educators) Conference Proceedings, Idowu, P., Duda, F., Lauffer, D., Portland, Oregon, June, 2005
4. Service-Learning Approaches to International Humanitarian Design Projects: Assessment of Spiritual Impact , CEEC (Christian Engineering Educators Conference) Conference Proceedings, Green, M., Duda, F., VanGaalen, N., VanderLeest, S., Erikson, C., Salt Lake City, Utah, June, 2004.
5. Service-Learning Approaches to International Humanitarian Design Projects, ASEE (American Society of Engineering Educators) Conference Proceedings, Green, M., Duda, F., VanGaalen, N., VanderLeest, S., Erikson, C., Salt Lake City, Utah, June, 2004.
6. A Collaborative Effort to Develop a Research Center in Engineering and Technology in Uganda, ASEE (American Society of Engineering Educators) Conference Proceedings, Duda, F.,  Lauffer, D., Nashville, Tennessee, June, 2003.
7. Investigation of Senior Level Electrical Engineering Design Projects to Aid Developing Countries, CEEC (Christian Engineering Educators Conference) Conference Proceedings, Duda, F., Montreal, Canada, June, 2002.
8. Noise Control for Continuous Miners, Proceedings of the 10th International Meeting on Low frequency Noise and Vibration and its Control, Kovalchik, P, Duda, F., London, UK, September, 2002

Professional societies: Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, American Society for Engineering Education

Miscellaneous: 

-  My wife Carol and I served as short term missionaries in Peru with Wycliffe Bible Translators.
-  Practicing licensed Professional Engineer since 1990.
-  Partner in a technical consulting firm for 10 years.
-  Co-Inventor of a trigger device to mitigate coal dust explosions in coal mines (U.S. Patent No. 4173140 ).
-  Founding member and currently on the Board of Directors of Evangelical Fellowship International (EFI) a Non-Profit, 501 (c) (3)  Organization .  EFI was recently incorporated  by 4 faculty members at Grove City College for the purpose of  equipping  indigenous Christian organizations in India and other developing nations to serve more effectively, so that Jesus Christ will be glorified and individuals in these countries will have greater physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well being.
-  Co-recipient of the ASEE (American Society for Engineering Education) Global Engineering and Engineering Technology Educator Award for 2005 presented by the ASEE International Division. The award acknowledges engineering and engineering technology educators for their "exceptional contribution to global education. It recognized the efforts of the recipients to improve the quality of science education in Uganda.
-  Recipient of the Motorola Design Competition Outstanding Faculty Award in 1990.  The award was presented to Dr. Duda in recognition of his sponsorship of the first prize student entry in the embedded system design competition.  The winning faculty member’s school (Grove City College) received a $25,000 cash award