Dr. Schmalzel (Ph.D. 1980, Kansas State University) is the Founding Chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. The current focus of his research interests is intelligent sensors and biosensors. He received his M.S. and B.S. degrees in Electrical Engineering from Kansas State University in 1977 and 1973 respectively. Before joining Rowan, he spent eleven years on the faculty of the University of Texas at San Antonio; he also served for four years in the US Army as a Clinical Automation Officer. He has served as a consultant for design firms, aerospace contractors, and federal agencies. Dr. Schmalzel teaches digital systems, smart sensors, and other project-based courses. Dr. Schmalzel was elevated to Fellow of the IEEE in 2008. He is currently on an inter-personnel agency assignment as a Senior Research Scientist at NASA-Stennis Space Center in Mississippi.