Interests:

My interest is in modeling and studying the mechanical properties of plants such as the strength of cactus  joints and stresses in tree  branches.

Industrial Experience:

• AT&T Bell Laboratories: Member of Technical Staff: Design and development of fiber optic high pressure seals, cleaving devices, and various mechanical components of sonar cable systems. 

Consulting:

• National Science Foundation: Invited as a reviewer of proposals for the NSF for the Instrumentation and Laboratory Improvement Program.
• Teach review classes (selected topics) for the Professional Engineering License examination, Mechanical Engineering, and the Fundamentals of Engineering examination.

Licenses:

• P.E. (New York)

Selected Society Memberships:

• American Society of Mechanical Engineers
• Sigma Xi, Manhattan College Chapter
• National Society of Professional Engineers
• Pi Tau Sigma.
• Society of Women Engineers.

Honors and Awards:

• Recipient of  the 2002-2003 Distinguished Lasallian Educator Award for the School of Engineering.
• Mechanical Engineering Teacher of the Year, 2006 and 1999, Manhattan College.
• Recipient of Manhattan College Merit Bonus, 1995.
• Recipient of Sabbatical Leaves,  2007, 2002, and 1996.

Recent Publications (Last 5 Years):

·      Evans, L. S., Kahn-Jetter, Z., Marks, C., Harmoney, P., “Mechanical properties and anatomical components of stems of 42 grass species”, Journal of the Torrey Botanical Society 134(4), 2007, pp. 458–467

·      Evans, L.S., Kahn-Jetter, Z., Torres, J., Martinez, M., Tarsia, P., “Mechanical stress of primary branches: a survey of 40 woody tree and shrub species”, Trees- Structure and Function, DOI 10.1007/s00468-007-0182-7, October 2007.

·      Lance S. Evans, Sr. Joan Harnett, and Zella Kahn-Jetter, “Procedures to Determine the Amount of Plant Cover in Field Plots”, Environmental and Experimental Botany, December 2006, Vol. 58, Nos. 1-3, pp. 180-187.

·     Lance S. Evans, Zella Kahn-Jetter, Sara Butwell, "Forces necessary for mechanical failure of terminal joints of several species of Cylindropuntia and Opuntia (Cactaceae)”, Journal of the Torrey Botanical Society, October-December, 2004, Vol 131, No. 4 pp. 319- 331.

·       Lance S. Evans, Grace J. Imson, Ji Eun Kim and Zella Kahn-Jetter, “Relationships between number of stem segments on longest stems, retention of terminal stem segments and establishment of detached terminal stem segments for 25 species of Cylindropuntia and Opuntia (Cactaceae)”, Journal of the Torrey Botanical Society, July-September, 2004, Vol. 131, No. 3, pp. 195-203.

·        Lance Evans, Jacklyn Pancrudo, Karen LaGrazon, Zella Kahn-Jetter, and Behrang Litkouhi, “Compressive/tensile stresses and lignified cells as resistance components in joints of Opuntia ficus-indica and Opuntia parryi var. parryi (Cactaceae)”, Journal of the Torrey Botanical Society, April-June 2004, Vol. 131, No. 2, pp. 110-119.

Contact Information:

• Phone: 718-862-7366
• E-mail zella.kahn-jetter@manhattan.edu

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