Academic Credentials
  • Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), 2015
  • M.S., Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), 2013
  • B.S., Mechanical Engineering, North Carolina State University, 2005
Licenses & Certifications
  • Professional Engineer, Georgia, #PE041588
  • Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI)
  • Certified LabVIEW Associate Developer (CLAD)
  • Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator (CVFI)
  • Six Sigma Green Belt Certification (CSSGB)
Professional Honors
  • Georgia Institute of Technology Leadership Fellow, 2013-2015
  • Sam Nunn Security Fellow, 2013
  • National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship, 2012
  • IPST Paper Science and Engineering Fellowship, 2011
  • G.W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering Presidents' Fellowship, 2010
  • North Carolina State University John T. Caldwell Scholarship, 2001
Professional Affiliations
  • American Society of Mechanical Engineers—ASME (member)
  • American Institute of Chemical Engineers—AIChE (member)
  • National Association of Fire Investigators—NAFI (member)

Dr. Anderson applies mechanical and chemical engineering principles to solve clients' complex technical problems across a broad range of industries, including consumer products, textiles, manufacturing, industrial chemical processes, heating and cooling systems, and heavy earthmoving equipment. He specializes in accident evaluation and prevention, failure analysis, fire and explosion investigation and analysis, industrial process evaluation, product development and validation, and intellectual property disputes.

Dr. Anderson has both academic training and industry experience in the design, analysis, and validation of thermal systems; in modeling complex systems involving simultaneous species transport, chemical reaction, and heat transfer; in experimental instrumentation and data acquisition; and in design, manufacturing, and field support of heavy construction equipment.

Prior to joining Exponent, Dr. Anderson completed a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology. In his doctoral dissertation research, Dr. Anderson developed a novel reaction-separation approach to low temperature hydrogen production via the steam methane reforming process with in situ carbon dioxide capture. He also completed a thesis-based M.S. degree at Georgia Institute of Technology, investigating the use of nanostructured surfaces with patterned gradients in surface energy and wettability to enhance the rate of condensation heat transfer.

During his tenure as a graduate research assistant, Dr. Anderson conducted research as a visiting scholar in the Center for Energy Technology at RTI International and in the Thermal Sciences Division of Air Force Research Laboratory. He participated in the Sam Nunn Security Fellows Program, where he explored the public policy and energy security dimensions of the recent surge in domestic shale gas production. He also held a fellowship in Paper Science and Engineering, developing expertise in pulp and paper manufacturing processes.

Before his graduate studies, Dr. Anderson worked for 5 years as a machine cooling system design and development engineer for Caterpillar, Inc. on a variety of products including skid steer loaders, backhoe loaders and track-type tractors. While at Caterpillar, he developed both active and passive cooling systems, including demand-based fan speed algorithms, oil cooling of hydraulic implements and drive transmissions, underhood thermal management of exhaust after-treatment components, and radiators and turbocharger aftercoolers for engine systems. He was involved in all phases of the design process, ranging from conceptualization to performance modeling to prototype design/fabrication to testing/validation. Dr. Anderson is certified by Caterpillar as a Six Sigma Green Belt and has applied that skill to numerous Six Sigma projects involving Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), Design of Experiments (DOE), and Design for Six Sigma (DFSS).