Three College of Engineering faculty have been granted faculty emeriti
status after long and distinguished careers of research, teaching and
service to Drexel.
Patricia Gallagher, PhD, professor emerita since May 2023,
joined the Drexel faculty in 2001 as an assistant professor in the
Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering. She
received her BS in Civil Engineering and BA in Geological Sciences in 1988,
both from Rutgers University, her MS in Civil Engineering from the Ohio
State University, and her PhD in Civil Engineering in 2000 from Virginia
Polytechnic Institute and State University. She received tenure and was
promoted to associate professor in 2007 and became a full professor in
2020.
Gallagher’s research expertise centers on geotechnical and geoenvironmental
engineering, sustainability, and life cycle assessment. She has also been
passionate about advancing women and underrepresented groups in STEM and
furthering the scholarship of teaching and learning. She is the recipient
of the University-level 2019 Evidenced-Based Learning Award in
Undergraduate Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Education (STEM)
and 2004 Allen Rothwarf Award for Teaching Excellence Presented to Junior
Tenure-Track Faculty. She was an NSF CAREER awardee and an Executive
Leadership in Academic Medicine (ELAM) Fellow. She was awarded both the
Drexel Engineering 2020 Outstanding Teaching Award and 2012 Outstanding
Service Award.
Giuseppe Palmese, PhD, professor emeritus since May 2022,
joined the Drexel faculty in 2001 as associate professor with tenure in the
Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, achieving full professor
in 2005. He earned his BS in Chemical Engineering from Princeton in 1986
and his PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Delaware in
1992. Prior to joining Drexel, he managed a polymer manufacturing facility
and served as a research professor at the University of Delaware’s Center
for Composite Materials.
At Drexel, Palmese served as department head for 12 years, as Associate
Dean for Finance, and for two years as interim dean of the College of
Engineering. In 2018, he was named Distinguished George B. Francis Professor
of Chemical and Biological Engineering. His research focuses on
thermosetting polymers and biomaterials, composites and interfaces, and
processing-structure-property relationships.
Dr. Palmese was appointed Dean of the Henry Rowan College of Engineering at
Rowan University, effective September 2021.
Kevin Scoles, PhD, professor emeritus effective September
1, received his BS in Physics from Union College in 1977 and his PhD in
Physics and Astronomy from Dartmouth College in 1982, after which he joined
the Drexel Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) as a
faculty fellow in 1982. He was appointed assistant professor in 1985 and
granted tenure and promotion to associate professor in 1991.
Scoles has conducted research in the fields of solar energy, engineering
education, and thin- and thick-film superconductors. He served as a
long-time Undergraduate Assistant Department Head in ECE and twice served
the college as Associate Dean for Undergraduate Affairs. He additionally
served as an advisor to the student SunDragon solar car group.
Scoles is an expert in the development of online engineering courses and
was a significant resource in the navigation of online learning during the
COVID lockdown. He is a recipient of the 2023 Harold M. Myers Award for
Distinguished Service and the 2020 College of Engineering Outstanding
Service Award.