About John

Who am I? I am a tenured Associate Professor of Engineering at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut. I also teach environmental science and public policy. I grew up on a farm in northern California, and I learned what hard physical labor is first hand! My life on the farm was interrupted for two years from the ages of 9 to 11 when my parents joined the Peace Corps from 1972-1974. We lived in Zaire, Africa while my father volunteered as an agricultural consultant. Those two years had a profound impact on my personal development, and instilled in me a deep love for the United States of America, and for all the people of the world.

I’m the first generation of my family to graduate from college. I earned a B.S. in mechanical engineering from California State University, Chico, graduating summa cum laude, and earned a Masters and Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Stanford University. I began teaching at Trinity College in 1990. I have a passion for teaching, helping people, and improving society and the world. My research is in the field of combustion and air pollution.

I am raising the four greatest kids in the world, two sons and two daughters ages 12-18.

One of my heroes is Patrick Moynihan, former democratic senator from New York. He stood up and spoke the truth, and embarrassed his fellow senators into acknowledging issues that both sides of the aisle knew existed, but had a silent agreement not to talk about. He was one person who made a difference. We need more Senators like him. I will be one of them. Vote for John Mertens for U.S. Senate in 2006.