Dr. Kempel received the Ph.D. degree from the University of Michigan in 1994. His dissertation focused on developing and applying novel hybrid finite element analysis and design procedures to conformal antennas. After a brief post-doctoral experience at UM, Dr. Kempel joined Mission Research Corporation as a Senior Research Engineer. He led research programs in the following areas: conformal antenna analysis and design, ultra-wide bandwidth antenna design, high power microwave analysis, and low observable feature analysis and design.
Professor Kempel joined MSU in 1998 as an Assistant Professor. He currently is a Full Professor at Michigan State University. He has conducted research along the general theme of computational electromagnetics (as applied to antenna design, material modeling, material measurement modeling, and other applied electromagnetics applications. He has published widely in a text, book chapters, journal papers, conference papers, and magazine articles. He has mentored many graduate students both during graduate studies and beyond. These professionals are currently serving the US Government and private industry, typically at leading defense contractors, and as faculty members. He is an elected Fellow of the IEEE, AAAS, ACES and ESD.
In October 2011, he was appointed to the US Air Force Scientific Advisory Board and again in January 2018. He is currently a consultant for SAF/AQB. He was named Acting Dean of the College of Engineering in March 2013. In August 2014, the Michigan State University Board of Trustees named him the 9th Dean of Engineering at Michigan State University.