Visionary entrepreneur and Mechanical Engineering alumnus Stanley Kowalski III '92 was inducted in to the Western New England University Engineering Hall of Fame at the annual Induction Dinner on May 15.
Kowalski is the co-founder and CEO of FloDesign Sonics, Inc. (FDS), a company that is redefining cell processing using 3D acoustic waves. In his role, Kowalski is responsible for the direction and strategy of the company. He is dedicated to commercializing FDS's acoustic platform into multiple markets. His current market focus is life sciences, where FDS's patented 3D force field provides delicate handling, selection, and sorting of cells for both scaling up and out. He believes that this innovative cell handling engine can significantly drive down the cost of manufacturing, thus bringing life-saving therapies to patients.
With a strong entrepreneurial drive, Kowalski has helped to engineer and deliver many products to market, with a core focus on enabling technologies. He is Chairman of the Board at FloDesign, Inc., and founding CEO of FloDesign Wind Turbine, FloDesign Water Turbine and FloDesign Sonics. All of these companies have their roots in Western New England University's College of Engineering. Kowalski currently serves on the University's Board of Trustees. His companies have funded several senior design projects and provided hundreds of internships to students across western Massachusetts and surrounding areas, many of whom are full-time employees today. His awards include the MIT Business Plan Competition 2008 (CEEP), Business Plan Competition 2008 (ICE), 40 under Forty, and recognition as a finalist from the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award. He is listed as an inventor on 15 patents.
The Western New England University College of Engineering Hall of Fame was established in 2002 to recognize graduates and individuals who have distinguished themselves by making a significant contribution to the engineering field and/or the College. By honoring these outstanding individuals, the College of Engineering will show them its appreciation for bringing distinction to the College at the local, national, or international level.