Dr. Pedro Cortes is a Materials Science and Chemical Engineering Associate Professor at YSU. He is originally from Mexico City in Mexico. He received his bachelors and masters degrees in Chemical Engineering from Instituto de Celaya and Instituto Tecnológico de Monterrey, and his doctorate in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Liverpool. Before teaching at YSU, Dr. Cortes previously worked at New Mexico State University.

While at YSU, Dr. Cortes wants to continue expanding the research field especially in the area of Materials Science and Engineering. He currently teaches Thermodynamics, Special Topics Thermodynamics Lab and Advanced Thermodynamics. Dr. Cortes is involved in the SLS, but he is pretty much in the back seat, since he believes that student organizations should be led by students. Dr. Cortes believes advisors should only be the facilitators for the organization to succeed.

As one of the leading professors in the Air Force Initiative, aimed at increasing the STEM activity in the community, Dr. Cortes believes it will provide a workforce pipeline in the department of defense and industrial sector that is in need of engineers. It will provide opportunities for internships, co-ops and job placements, and will also support institutions such as museums and summer camps that will directly benefit society, especially in the STEM field. Dr. Cortes estimates that this initiative will take full effect in one year.

Any students who wish to know more about opportunities available through the Air Force Grant should contact Dr. Cortes at pcortes@ysu.edu or visit his office in Moser Hall room 2064.

Here is a link to the Air Force Initiative Article: https://ysu.edu/news/ysu-partners-air-force-help-meet-engineering-workforce-demands