Robert E Young is a retired Associate Professor of Engineering Practice at the Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science at the University of Southern California. Prior to joining USC, he worked for ExxonMobil refining and polymers manufacturing operations in both engineering and managerial roles. He specialized in process control and system engineering. Late in his career, he served as a senior process safety engineer and managed a refinery's Safety and Security Department.  Since retiring, he has been working on a textbook, Learn AVEVA Process Simulation in 24 Hours with Thomas Adams II, teaching workshops, and volunteering with the Small Hope Bay Foundation on marine and mangrove conservation.