As a part of our Series called “Faculty Spotlights”, we had the pleasure of interviewing Krassimir Marchev.
Krassimir Marchev, known as ‘Krassi’ to his friends and colleagues, has taught at the College of Professional Studies (CPS) for 30 years, although you wouldn’t know of his long tenure just by speaking with him. He’s got the air of a kid in a candy shop, like a first-year grad student teaching for the first time, seeing all the possibilities with eager, new eyes. His fascinating career, which spans both academia and the public sector, reads like an adventure novella. He currently serves as the Professor of the Practice for the Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Technology Programs at Northeastern University’s College of Professional Studies (CPS). When we met up with him, it was immediately obvious that he’s a man with a mission to bring opportunity to Northeastern CPS Learners. And he does just that, incredibly well.
One exciting opportunity that he champions for CPS Engineering Learners is access to free ASM membership, generously sponsored by the Lowell Institute School. CPS students are eligible for free membership that provides a magazine subscription as well as access to events and meetings, and exposure to well-known industry experts.
“We need to put our students in professional environments where they can meet specialists with a track record of innovation and success and taking membership at ASM International is a great way to do that. In April, we had a C-Suite professional from Rolls-Royce presenting at our monthly ASM event. In May we had a speaker who discussed his lifetime-long career at NASA. Let’s not forget that our guests look at students as colleagues and potential employees. What could be better than that? ”, Krassi said.
Originally from Teteven, Bulgaria, an old-world town situated in a valley of the Vit River surrounded by majestic mountain tops, Krassi found his way from his hometown to receiving his Master of Science in Materials Science and Engineering in 1984 from Politechnika Warszawska (The Warsaw University of Technology) while the city was under Marshall Law as its citizens resisted Soviet influence. After graduation, he arrived in Boston in 1987. In 1994, he earned an Interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Solid State Chemistry and Materials Science from Northeastern University, joined ASM International, and began teaching at CPS that same year.
Today, Krassi is recognized by industry peers for setting a high standard in both his commitment to solving real-world problems and to bridging the gap between academia and the public sector. His approach yields results; he is connected to some of the most remarkable industry developments within the last half-century. In 1998 while teaching at CPS, he worked on (OR developed) novel surface engineering technologies for Pratt & Whitney and Sikorsky aircraft companies. From 2000-2012, he worked at Gillette, where he developed and patented for ‘a new generation razor of superior comfort’ by leading the development of the blade edge for the “Gillette Fusion ProGlide” razor. It became a billion-dollar product owned by Proctor and Gamble and it is still the best-performing blade edge in the world.
Krassi’s Northeastern network isn’t just limited to his professional contacts. He met his wife, Ronnie Marchev, at Northeastern University, who studied Computer Science. He proposed to her on a private flight to Nantucket – he is a trained Pilot and has flown for almost three decades. Their eldest son is currently studying Data Science and Business Administration at Northeastern University and is on the Dean’s List. Through his program, he has secured a summer job at a Boston-based Bank. His youngest son is in 11th grade and is enrolled in summer training at the Northeastern Biomechanics lab at the College of Engineering.
As if teaching at CPS and working for big companies isn’t enough, Krassi is also the Chair of the Executive Committee of the ASM International Boston Chapter, and he also serves on some of its committees, including the emerging technology awareness committee, the advanced manufacturing committee, and the sub-committee on education. Even within his capacity at ASM, he works to identify opportunities for Northeastern CPS Learners, and future industry leaders.
In addition to championing CPS in his various networks, Krassi has accrued many scientific achievements. He edited (six) volumes on “Metallurgical Coatings and Thin Films” for the ICMCTF international conferences for Elsevier Scientific Publishing and even made it on the cover page of Northeastern University magazine on the Art of Science in 1998. To date, he has hundreds of citations on his papers on novel materials, metallic glasses, plasma surface engineering, and specialty alloys, as well as patents on materials, technologies, and products with Northeastern, Gillette, Procter and Gamble, and Sikorsky.
About our Bachelor of Science in Advanced Manufacturing Systems Program
Northeastern’s Bachelor of Science in Advanced Manufacturing Systems is an innovative bachelor’s degree completion program, providing the skills and experience needed to build a successful career in advanced manufacturing.
- A 100% online curriculum, co-developed with General Electric, lets you earn your degree with maximum flexibility.
- Learn from industry experts – like Krassi — as you gain skills and experience to grow a career in advanced manufacturing.
- Increase your knowledge of manufacturing, inspection, materials, technology, processes, and supply chain concepts with challenge-based learning projects with Gillette, General Electric, United Technologies, Sikorsky Aircraft, BAE, Stanley Black & Decker, and Proctor and Gamble.
- Earn credit for previous experience and competencies, allowing you to complete your degree faster.
- Build your resumé while earning your degree and gain career-boosting connections through Northeastern’s extensive industry and alumni networks.