CHEMICAL AND MOLECULAR ENGINEERING External Advisory Board (EAB)
The Chemical and Molecular Engineering (CME) External Advisory Board (EAB) brings together distinguished leaders from industry, research, and academia who partner with faculty to support the continued growth and excellence of Stony Brook University's CME program. By providing strategic guidance on emerging technologies, workforce needs, and industry trends, the Board helps ensure that the curriculum remains relevant, innovative, and aligned with the evolving demands of the profession.
Through their expertise and engagement, EAB members strengthen connections between academia and industry, enhance student opportunities, and support the department's commitment to excellence, innovation, and ABET accreditation standards.
EAB Members
Dr. Raj Shah
Dr. Raj Shah is Director of Research and Development at Koehler Instrument Company in Long Island, New York, where he has spent more than 25 years advancing innovation in chemical engineering and materials technologies. He holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering from The Pennsylvania State University and is internationally recognized for his technical expertise, professional leadership, and contributions to industry. Dr. Shah is uniquely distinguished as the only professional known to hold all six of the highly coveted certifications: Certified Professional Chemist (CPC), Certified Chemical Engineer (CChE), Chartered Engineer (CEng), Chartered Scientist (CSci), Chartered Chemist (CChem), and Chartered Petroleum Engineer (CPEng).
A long-standing member and current Chair of the Chemical Engineering External Advisory Board at Stony Brook University, Dr. Shah has mentored more than 50 student interns through research and industry experiences at Koehler Instrument Company. He is the recipient of numerous prestigious honors, including the PM Ku Medal from STLE, the ASTM Eagle Award, and the NLGI Bellanti Memorial Award. With more than 200 publications, two co-edited reference books, and fellow status in multiple international professional organizations, he continues to champion the development of future generations of chemical engineers through mentorship, industry engagement, and professional service.
Dr. Wilson Lee
Dr. Wilson Lee is a Director in the Advanced Technologies Upstream Group at the Estée Lauder Companies, bringing more than 30 years of research and development experience in the personal care and cosmetics industry. He earned his PhD in Materials Science and Engineering from Stony Brook University and a Master's degree in Polymer Chemistry from New York University.
Throughout his distinguished career, Dr. Lee has led the development of numerous innovative products for leading brands, including Clinique, Origins, and Prescriptives, and previously contributed to the successful launch of Lipfinity at Procter & Gamble. His expertise spans color cosmetics, sunscreen technologies, advanced delivery systems, nanotechnology, preservatives, and coating technologies, resulting in numerous patents, publications, and technical contributions.
A dedicated supporter of Stony Brook University, Dr. Lee has served for more than a decade as an Adjunct Professor and member of the Department of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering's External Advisory Board. Through his leadership and industry insight, he continues to help bridge the gap between academic research and commercial innovation while mentoring the next generation of engineers and scientists.
Dr. Marco Castaldi
Dr. Marco Castaldi is a nationally recognized chemical engineering researcher, educator, and industry leader specializing in catalysis, combustion, gasification, and waste-to-energy technologies. He earned his BS in Chemical Engineering from Manhattan College and his PhD in Chemical Engineering from UCLA, with minors in Advanced Theoretical Physics and Astrophysics.
Currently a professor at The City College of New York (CCNY), Dr. Castaldi serves as Director of the Waste-to-Energy Research and Technology Council (WtERT)–USA and founded the Earth Engineering Center at CCNY. His research focuses on developing innovative technologies that convert waste and biomass into renewable energy, helping address some of society's most pressing environmental and energy challenges.
A prolific scholar and inventor, Dr. Castaldi has authored more than 90 peer-reviewed journal articles, multiple books and book chapters, and holds 11 patents. His work has been featured by major media outlets, including The New York Times and CNN. Through his leadership in academia, industry collaborations, and professional organizations, he continues to advance sustainable energy solutions while mentoring the next generation of engineers and researchers.
Dr. Alan Flamberg
Dr. Alan Flamberg is an accomplished industrial scientist with more than 34 years of experience in specialty chemicals, polymer characterization, and lubricant technology. He earned his PhD in Chemistry from Stanford University and holds both an MS in Chemistry and a BS in Mathematics from the State University of New York at Albany.
Throughout his distinguished career at Rohm and Haas, RohMax, and later Evonik, Dr. Flamberg held leadership roles spanning analytical research, product development, applications research, technical service, and process research. His work focused on understanding the performance of polymers in automotive and industrial lubricants, contributing to advancements in lubricant technology and materials characterization.
A respected leader in the scientific community, Dr. Flamberg has been actively involved with the American Chemical Society (ACS), ASTM International, and SAE International. He has chaired technical committees within ASTM and presented his work at numerous national and international conferences. His extensive industry expertise and commitment to scientific excellence continue to make him a valued contributor to the chemical engineering and materials science communities.
Dr. Hari Pujar
Dr. Hari Pujar is an Operating Partner at Flagship Pioneering and a recognized leader in the biopharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. With more than two decades of experience spanning research and development, manufacturing, and commercialization, he has played a key role in advancing biologics, vaccines, and gene therapies.
Prior to joining Flagship Pioneering, Dr. Pujar served as Chief Technology Officer at Spark Therapeutics and Head of Technical Development and Manufacturing at Moderna, where he helped build and scale innovative technology platforms supporting numerous clinical programs. He also spent more than 18 years at Merck & Co., holding leadership positions across the company's research, manufacturing, and vaccine divisions.
Dr. Pujar holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Delaware and an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He is a Fellow of both the American Chemical Society and the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, reflecting his significant contributions to the life sciences and biotechnology sectors.
Dr. Najeeb Kuzhiyil
Dr. Najeeb Kuzhiyil is a Staff Engineer at ExxonMobil and a recognized expert in fuels, lubricants, and engine combustion technologies. Prior to joining ExxonMobil, he served as a Senior Engineer at General Electric, contributing to the development of advanced energy and combustion systems.
Dr. Kuzhiyil holds a PhD in Biorenewable Resources and Technology from Iowa State University, a Master's degree in Combustion and Energy from the University of Leeds as a Shell Centenary–British Chevening Scholar, and a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Calicut, India.
An accomplished researcher and innovator, Dr. Kuzhiyil has authored numerous scientific publications and holds several U.S. patents. His expertise and industry leadership continue to advance the development of sustainable energy, fuels, and engine technologies.
Dr. Vikram Mittal
Dr. Vikram Mittal is a researcher, educator, and engineer specializing in systems engineering, advanced technologies, and applications at the intersection of materials science and chemical engineering. He earned his BS in Aeronautics from the California Institute of Technology, MS in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Oxford, and PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology under the mentorship of Professor John Heywood.
Dr. Mittal began his professional career at Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, where he served as a Senior Engineer in the Vehicles and Robotics Group. He later joined the Department of Systems Engineering at the United States Military Academy, where he teaches system design and simulation while conducting research in model-based systems engineering, exoskeleton technologies, and engine combustion.
In addition to his academic and research contributions, Dr. Mittal serves as a U.S. Army Reservist assigned to the 75th Innovation Command. He has authored more than 30 journal articles and patents, advancing innovative solutions in engineering and emerging technologies.
Dr. Seong H. Kim
Dr. Seong H. Kim is Distinguished Professor of Chemical Engineering at Penn State and serves as Department Head and Walter L. Robb Family Department Head’s Chair. He earned his PhD in Chemistry from Northwestern University in 1998 and has built a distinguished career in research, education, and academic leadership.
With more than two decades at Penn State, Dr. Kim has held numerous leadership roles, including Associate Department Head, with interdisciplinary appointments spanning Chemical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, and Chemistry. He is also affiliated with the Intercollege Graduate Program in Materials Science and Engineering and serves on the Engineering Faculty Council.
Dr. Kim’s research focuses on energy and environmental challenges at material interfaces and surfaces, with expertise in tribology, glass surface science, and cellulosic nanomaterials. Through an interdisciplinary approach rooted in surface science, his work advances the understanding of material structure–property relationships and the development of innovative solutions in biomaterials, renewable energy, and sustainable technologies.