NERDS
MORE THAN FUNNY-LOOKING

After a Ph.D. from M.I.T. and postdoctoral studies at IBM, NASA and the Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule-Zürich, Pete is not only a nerd but he learned certain invaluable things like how to pronounce Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule-Zürich. After a brief stint in industry he is now an Associate Professor in the School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology. where he is trying to prove that engineers can be funny and not funny-looking. Pete lectures internationally on the use of humor in technical communication and education and carries out research on the use of improvisational humor in improving creativity in engineering design. He currently directs a Living Learning Community at Georgia Tech entitled "Humor and Innovation" that examines the use of humor in technical communication, education and innovation. Pete also co-hosts Inside the Black Box, a weekly program on science and technology everay Sun. from noon to 1pm on WREK 91.1FM in Atlanta. "Science, only funnier," is the motto of Pete and his co-host, fellow Georgia Tech Professor and comedian, Bill hunt as they add a little humor to discussions of science and technology relevant to our everyday lives.carr

What people are saying about Pete

"Extremely Talented..."
Kenn Kington - Creator, Ultimate Comedy Theatre

“Very funny and smart without being crude! He is a perfect choice for
entertaining corporate guests with technical backgrounds.” – Prof. Jay Lee, Director of
the Center for Process Systems Engineering, Atlanta, GA.

“The talk was not only hilarious for the chemists in the audience, but also for the audience members with little or no chemical background.  You walked the line expertly.” – Keith Sanders, Chemistry Instructor, Girls Preparatory School, Chattanooga, TN

"...Absolutely fabulous...I would love to have you join us for another program."
Jennifer Gardella - Program Manager, Serono Symposium International

“What can I say ... you made the event! Everyone loved your comedy… many,
many thanks.” - Kathy Fuller, Director of Membership and Volunteers, East Cobb Democratic
Alliance, Cobb County GA.

“Thanks for giving such a great opening to our event, you were hilarious…” - Dr. Dana
Hartley, Director of Academic Advising, Georgia Institute of Technology.

“Wow, what a great show… It was perfect, both in terms of quality and the message…”
Prof. Rob McDowell, Carter N. Paden Jr. Distinguished Chair in Metals Processing at Georgia Tech on a recent presentation to the Engineering Learning Community of the University of Nebraska at Lincoln.

“I want to thank you for making our evening so eventful... a good time was had by all." - Judith Nordgren, Vice President of Marketing and Communications, The Vinyl Institute.

"Funny and funny-looking..."
Prof. Joseph Schork - Chair, Dept. of Chemical Engineering, University of Maryland

More about Pete....

Interview with the East Cobber Magazine January, 2010
Review of our first Behind the Red Door Comedy show (October 9th, 2009) at the Red Door Playhouse in Snap Roswell
On October 22nd, Craig Tabitha from Georgia Tech's Student Newspaper (The Technique) introduced us to the new Living Learning Communities that are part of the Think Big program at Georgia Tech. Pete directs the "Humor in Innovation" community.
The September issue of the CEISMC Gazette, published monthly by the Georgia Tech Center for Education Integrating Science Math and Computing (CEISMC) addresses using humor in math and science
"Heard the one about the Tech Professor who thinks he's a stand-up comic" from the Atlanta Journal Constitution, August 12th, 2006
Pete and his co-host Bill Hunt from their Saturday morning radio show Inside the Black Box (Science only Funnier) were featured in Tech Topics
Chemical & Engineering News, April 24th, 2006 - not even Carlin or Seinfeld ever got mentioned here
The Georgia Tech Alumni Magazine, Spring 2006 edition
The Technique, Georgia Tech's Student Newspaper, Feb. 17th, 2006
The 2005 Blueprint, Georgia Tech's Student Yearbook
The Chemical Engineer, official publication of the Institution of Chemical Engineering, June 2005
The Whistle, Georgia Tech Faculty Staff Newspaper, September 6, 2004