Tony Kerzmann

Dr. Tony Kerzmann is an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh, where he teaches and conducts research in renewable energy systems, sustainability, and engineering education. His work explores solar energy design, agrivoltaics, life cycle assessment, and electric vehicle infrastructure modeling. As a dedicated advisor, Dr. Kerzmann integrates experiential and project-based learning into his courses, guiding students to apply engineering principles to real-world sustainability challenges. He serves The Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science Engineering department as the Associate Director of Undergraduate Academics and contributes to the Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation, where he has received multiple Leonard Peters Fellowships for his continued support in teaching and leadership. Dr. Kerzmann’s research and service reflect his commitment to advancing clean energy education and empowering the next generation of engineers to build a more sustainable future.

  • (2020 - 2021) Leonard Peters Faculty Fellow.
  • (2020 - 2021) Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation Pitt Sustainability Champion.
  • (2019 - 2020) John C. Mascaro Faculty Fellow in Sustainability.
  • (2016 - 2019) 2016 Pittsburgh Business Times Energy Leadership Award.
  • 1st place in the 2013 SAP Utility of Tomorrow Contest.
  • 1st place in the 2011 Energy Efficient Buildings Competition.
  • Nominated for the 2011 President’s Distinguished Faculty Achievement Award.
  • 2004 NASA Space Consortium Grant.

  • Doctor of Philosophy, Mechanical Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, 2007 - 2010
  • Master of Science, Mechanical Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, 2004 - 2007
  • Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, 2001 - 2004
  • Bachelor of Arts, Physics, Duquesne University, 1998 - 2004

  • Barry, M., Wismer, S., Kerzmann, T., & Dosse, L. (2021). Development of an Interactive TopHat Textbook for Engaged Learning. 2021 ASEE Virtual Annual Conference Content Access Proceedings, 1.American Society for Engineering Education. doi: 10.18260/1-2--36968.
  • Minutolo, M., Kerzmann, T., & Buxton, G. (2020). Duopolistic optimization of alternative vehicle fueling stations. ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE, 1.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.egycc.2020.100001.
  • Loller, C., Buxton, G.A., & Kerzmann, T.L. (2016). Hot soup! Correlating the severity of liquid scald burns to fluid and biomedical properties. Burns, 42(3), 589-597.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.burns.2015.10.016.
  • Kerzmann, T.L., Buxton, G.A., & Preisser, J. (2014). A computer model for optimizing the location of natural gas fueling stations. Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments, 7, 221-226.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.seta.2013.10.004.
  • Kerzmann, T., & Schaefer, L. (2013). Flow Rate Optimization of a Linear Concentrating Photovoltaic System. JOURNAL OF SOLAR ENERGY ENGINEERING-TRANSACTIONS OF THE ASME, 135(2).ASME International. doi: 10.1115/1.4023006.
  • Kerzmann, T., & Schaefer, L. (2012). System simulation of a linear concentrating photovoltaic system with an active cooling system. RENEWABLE ENERGY, 41, 254-261.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.renene.2011.11.004.

  • Kerzmann, T., Sanchez, D., & Rahim, S. (2025). From Self-Perception to Team Success: Analyzing Collaborative Team Dynamics and Interdisciplinary Teamwork in a Sustainability Capstone Course. In 2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition Proceedings.American Society for Engineering Education. doi: 10.18260/1-2--56617.
  • Landis, A., Kerestes, R., Sanchez, D., & Kerzmann, T. (2024). Creating Interdisciplinary Sustainability Focused Projects for Engineering Students Through Industry Partnerships. In 2024 ASEE North Central Section Conference Proceedings.American Society for Engineering Education. doi: 10.18260/1-2--45602.
  • Tobey, D., Kerzmann, T., Roth, V., & Sanchez, D. (2023). Agrivoltaics: A Team-Based Analysis of Solar Energy and Agricultural Modeling. In 2023 ASEE North Central Section Conference Proceedings.American Society for Engineering Education. doi: 10.18260/1-2--44910.
  • Kerzmann, T., Kerestes, R., Penumalli, V.S.V.R., & Petkopoulos, M. (2022). Modeling of Electric Vehicle Charging Effects on Existing Grid Infrastructure. In 2022 ASEE - North Central Section Conference Proceedings.American Society for Engineering Education. doi: 10.18260/1-2--39253.
  • Kerzmann, T., Sanchez, D., & Chouinard, C. (2021). Understanding Key Student Perspectives in an Interdisciplinary Flex-model Sustainability Course as Compared to a Traditional In-person Course. In 2021 ASEE Virtual Annual Conference Content Access Proceedings.American Society for Engineering Education.Virtual Conference. doi: 10.18260/1-2--37960.
  • Martin, S., & Kerzmann, T. (2021). Experiential Learning through Undergraduate Research on a Roadway Energy Harvesting Design (WIP) ASEE NCS. In 2021 ASEE North Central Section Conference Proceedings.American Society for Engineering Education.University of Toledo, Ohio. doi: 10.18260/1-2--36340.
  • Sanchez, D., Kerzmann, T., Chouinard, C., & Kotchey, G. (2021). Assessing the Effectiveness of a Flex Model for a Sustainability Course in the COVID-19 Learning Environment. In 2021 ASEE Virtual Annual Conference Content Access Proceedings.American Society for Engineering Education. doi: 10.18260/1-2--36712.
  • Sirkis, L., & Kerzmann, T. (2021). Hydro-Island: Undergraduate Research Modeling an Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) System. In 2021 ASEE Virtual Annual Conference Content Access Proceedings.American Society for Engineering Education.Virtual Conference. doi: 10.18260/1-2--37264.
  • Kerzmann, T., McAndrew, C., Slis, K., French, M., & Maione, K. (2016). Educational Evaluation of a Faculty-Led Education Abroad Program in Renewable Energy. In 2016 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition Proceedings, 2016-June.American Society for Engineering Education. doi: 10.18260/p.26889.
  • Kerzmann, T., Walker, J., & Sanchez, D. (2016). Evaluation of an Energy and Engineering Outreach Program for High School and Middle School Students. In 2016 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition Proceedings, 2016-June.American Society for Engineering Education. doi: 10.18260/p.26775.
  • Acharya, S., Nutt, L., & Kerzmann, T. (2014). Development of a Faculty-Led Education Abroad Program and the Lessons Learned. In 2014 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition Proceedings, (pp. 24.415.1-24.415.15).American Society for Engineering Education. doi: 10.18260/1-2--20306.
  • Campbell, B., Monterrubio, L., & Kerzmann, T. (2014). Laboratory Development for Dynamic Systems Through the Use of Low Cost Materials and Toys. In 2014 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition Proceedings, (pp. 24.839.1-24.839.14).American Society for Engineering Education. doi: 10.18260/1-2--20730.
  • Sirinterlikci, A., & Kerzmann, T. (2013). Contributions of a Mandatory Internship Course to an Engineering Curriculum. In 2013 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition Proceedings, (pp. 23.337.1-23.337.18).American Society for Engineering Education. doi: 10.18260/1-2--19351.
  • Kerzmann, T., & Werner, E. (2012). TurboFlow: Integrated Engineering Design through an Energy Efficient Building Competition. In 2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition Proceedings, (pp. 25.1380.1-25.1380.10).American Society for Engineering Education. doi: 10.18260/1-2--22137.
  • Sirinterlikci, A., & Kerzmann, T. (2012). Integrated Hands-on Dynamics Laboratories in the Classroom. In 2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition Proceedings, (pp. 25.790.1-25.790.16).American Society for Engineering Education. doi: 10.18260/1-2--21547.
  • Kerzmann, T., Buxton, G., & Kalevitch, M.V. (2011). The Development of an Alternative Energy Minor at Robert Morris University. In 2011 Fall ASEE Middle Atlantic Section Conference Proceedings.American Society for Engineering Education. doi: 10.18260/1-2-1153-51073.
  • Sirinterlikci, A., & Kerzmann, T. (2011). Active Learning through SAE Baja Competition. In 2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition Proceedings, (pp. 22.137.1-22.137.9).American Society for Engineering Education. doi: 10.18260/1-2--17418.
  • Sirinterlikci, A., & Kerzmann, T. (2011). Integrated Hands-On Mechanical Systems Laboratories. In 2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition Proceedings, (pp. 22.893.1-22.893.10).American Society for Engineering Education. doi: 10.18260/1-2--18200.
  • Kerzmann, T.L., & Schaefer, L.A. (2010). An energy analysis of a linear concentrating photovoltaic system with an active cooling system. In Greene, L.E., & Sherif, R.A. (Eds.). In Proceedings of SPIE--the International Society for Optical Engineering, 7769, (p. 77690m-77690m-8).SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics. doi: 10.1117/12.863908.
Research Interests
Mechanical engineering Photovoltaic power systems Electrical energy generation (incl. renewables, excl. photovoltaics) Life cycle assessment and industrial ecology Sustainable design Environmentally sustainable engineering Sustainable agricultural development Engineering education
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Contact Tony Kerzmann
Associate Professor
TKerzmann@pitt.edu
Work: 4123835064
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Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science