Directory profile for Dr. Peter Ludovice

Pete Ludovice’s research includes modeling of synthetic and biological polymers for applications as diverse as microelectronics, advanced materials and biomedical systems. He is currently simulating the effect of specific co-solvents for use with supercritical carbon dioxide extraction of plant alkaloid compounds. We are hopeful that this work will help to leverage Alabama’s medical cannabis law to produce new therapeutic products and help stimulate new industry in the state.

Pete also initiated research on the use of humor in the STEM classroom through an NSF-funded project. This work has catalyzed improvements in STEM education, communication, and innovation. Inspired by his stochastic simulation algorithms, he uses improvisational humor to search through idea space for engineering design alternatives. This workshop has been taught to various corporate and educational groups to improve innovation and creativity Currently Pete combines this workshop with AI to catalyze ideation in his entrepreneurship classes here at Alabama. He works with student groups in applied research using humorous improvisation to improve social skills for students on the autism spectrum, and explores the use of SCUBA skills to help improve focus in autistic children.

At Georgia Tech, Pete taught entrepreneurship classes and served on the board of CREATE-X, Georgia Tech’s over-arching entrepreneurship program. Now, he is trying to streamline the entry of engineering students into the entrepreneurship pipeline through both a certificate and a Master of Science in the Engineering Entrepreneurship Program at Alabama.