Why in the world should I get a PhD in Engineering?

In a past study, economist Jeffrey Sachs, proclaimed that “There is no other fundamental mover of economic development than science and technology”. Technology innovators are in a unique position to advance their countries and organizations to the top of the impact and prosperity ladder, paving the way for many generations to come. Yet, this all generally starts with the young engineer (or scientist) who has obtained a PhD in Engineering, and who is then poised to become tomorrow’s mover and shaker.

This seminar aims to challenge the prevailing myths and opinions about the importance of considering a Ph.D. in Engineering. In under 40 minutes, the speaker will attempt to show that many of society’s game changers of tomorrow will be those among you who emerge as leaders in technology, and the clearest, most catapulting pathway to this end, is via a PhD in engineering.

Abbreviated Biography

C. Fred Higgs, III is the John & Ann Doerr Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Rice University. He is also a Joint Professor within their Bioengineering Department, and the Faculty Director of the Rice Center for Engineering Leadership (RCEL), which focuses on developing tomorrow’s leaders in technology. A Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), he is the past recipient of an NSF CAREER award, the ASME Burt L. Newkirk award (for an individual under age 40 who made notable Tribology R&D contributions), and the Benjamin Richard Teare Teaching Award (for the most outstanding engineeering teacher (at Carnegie Mellon University). Professor Higgs has published over 100 archival papers while serving as research advisor to over 100 undergraduate, 30 Masters, and 12 doctoral students. He is the co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of InnovAlgae, a technology start-up company that bio-manufactures algae-based consumer goods and products.