David J. Palmer

David J. Palmer is the Head of the Engineering Department at United States Merchant Marine Academy
Biography
Previously, David J. Palmer was an Assistant Academic Dean and an Associate Professor of Engineering at the United States Merchant Marine Academy, one of the five federal academies. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Engineering Systems from the United States Merchant Marine Academy; a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Brooklyn Polytechnic University and a Ph.D in Mechanical Engineering, from Polytechnic University in Brooklyn, concentrating in Thermodynamics, Fluid Dynamics, Heat Transfer and Engineering Management. His dissertation, entitled "A Combined Gas Cooled Nuclear Reactor and Fuel Cell Cycle," dealt with a combined cycle marine engineering propulsion system which allowed him to further specialize in marine engineering, gas cooled nuclear reactors and solid oxide fuel cells.
Dr. Palmer is also a graduate of the United States Navy's Nuclear Power Program, where he was certified as an Engineering Officer of the Watch, Nuclear Plant Engineer and senior Engineering Duty Officer. Dr. Palmer used these certifications during his employment with General Electric's Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory where he had the responsibility of training and certifying Navy personnel in the operation of Nuclear Power for our nation's submarines and aircraft carriers. His position as Nuclear Engineering Officer of the Watch and Nuclear Plant Engineer permitted him not only to be a member on the watch team operating a nuclear reactor and an entire marine propulsion plant, but also to lead as the senior member of the team with overall responsibility of overseeing the nuclear reactor and marine propulsion plant.
At the Academy, Professor Palmer held many responsibilities within the Academic Division in areas such as the budget, strategic planning, United States Coast Guard, Middle States, STCW and Academic Review Boards. He participated and assisted in several Middle States, STCW and ABET audits and was a key player in a major reengineering effort to convert the Academy's curriculum from a quarter to a tri-semester system. Further, he led an ongoing budget plan to refurbish and upgrade the Academy's many laboratories, simulators and classrooms to meet the needs and standards of the 21st century.
Dr. Palmer is a Commander in the United States Navy Reserve where he held several positions in the Selective Reserve with the Naval Control and Guidance of Shipping. He is currently a Commander in the Merchant Marine Individual Ready Reserve and holds a current STCW-95 United States Coast Guard Engineer's license. Further, he is on the Board of Directors for the Global Maritime and Transportation School and is an active member on many other committees throughout the academy including the Academic Board, Strategic Planning Committee, Master Plan Committee and the STCW Committee.
Professor Palmer is a recipient of the MARAD Star for Extraordinary Contribution and the Federal Executive Board Employee of the Year Award. Dr. Palmer and his wife, Lisa, are the parents of three children, Marisa Ann, Allison Nicole, and Scott David. They reside on Long Island.

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