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Professor Alfonso “Al” Pujol Retires

Professor Alfonso “Al” Pujol was recently honored with a retirement celebration to recognize his 36 years of service to the University of Tennessee Space Institute. A professor of electrical engineering at UTSI, Pujol of Nashville ended his academic and research career effective May 31, 2012. UTSI Executive Director Robert Moore commented, “Al’s career has been dedicated to the university. We are grateful for his service, commitment, and leadership.”

Pujol started his career in 1976 as an assistant professor in electrical engineering at UT Nashville. He joined UTSI in 1979 as an assistant professor of electrical engineering, advancing professionally and attaining the rank of full professor in 1989.

During his tenure, Pujol had the opportunity to serve as an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Radiology at Vanderbilt (1982-1992); Director of the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga, Bachelor of Science engineering program at UTSI (1994-1999); and as the UTSI Assistant Vice President and Dean for Student Affairs (1999-2004).

Pujol is credited with a publication record that includes 42 paper publications and presentations and eight refereed journal articles.

As a faculty member, Pujol had a variety of research interest. His most recent research involved determining the validity of synthetic aperture radar’s (SAR) ability to image submerged objects, including submarines. The research acquires SAR oceanic and estuarine water surfaces data in three formats: processed recorded digital data on magnetic tape, photographic images, and digitally processed photographic images. Initial data analysis is performed by using photo interpretation techniques, with later expansion to digital and photogrammetric techniques.

In addition to his research accomplishments, Pujol has served on a number of committees for the National Science Foundation, a Faculty Fellow at NASA-Marshall Space Flight Center, and served as a consultant to DOE to establish new environmental engineering programs at ten historically black and Hispanic colleges and universities throughout the United States.

Born in New York City and raised in the Bronx, Pujol attended college in Tennessee where he earned his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Tennessee State University and his master’s and doctorate degrees in electrical engineering from Vanderbilt.

Al Pujol was recently honored at his retirement celebration by the University of Tennessee Space Institute for his 36 years of service. He is shown above with his mother-in-law, Lena Hatcher, and daughter, Heather, at the event.