Dr. Ellis received his doctorate in Civil Engineering and Operations Research from Princeton University. Now in his eighth year at Smith College, Dr. Ellis teaches courses in engineering mechanics, artificial intelligence, and educational methods for teaching science and engineering. As one of the founding faculty members of the Picker Engineering Program, he helped create the first engineering program at a U.S. women’s college. The winner of numerous awards for teaching, advising, and research, Dr. Ellis received the 2007 U.S. Professor of the Year Award for Baccalaureate Colleges from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education—the only national award for excellence in undergraduate teaching and mentoring.