معرفی
Fritz Yambrach, Ph.D., is a Professor and Director of Packaging at San José State University, where he leads the packaging program within the College of Health and Human Sciences. He joined SJSU in 2006 with the mission to rebuild a struggling program, growing it from just five students to 70, and expanding the curriculum from four to 10 courses. His academic and professional focus centers on innovative, problem-solving-oriented packaging design with real-world applications.
Dr. Yambrach’s research interests include medical, pharmaceutical, and food packaging, but he is most recognized for his humanitarian innovation—the Fritz Water Vest, a wearable, antimicrobial, reusable water transport solution designed for use in developing regions and disaster zones. His work bridges engineering, public health, and social equity, particularly in improving access to clean water and enabling girls’ education by reducing the burden of water collection.
In 2017, the Fritz Water Vest received the prestigious DuPont Diamond Award for Packaging Innovation. He also founded Solutions Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to leveraging packaging technology to improve global quality of life. His teaching philosophy emphasizes practical skills, creative problem-solving, and social responsibility, aiming to inspire students to use their careers for philanthropy.
- DuPont Diamond Award for Packaging Innovation (2017)
Dr. Yambrach has established a robust internship program for students at major industry leaders like Johnson & Johnson and Amgen, ensuring strong job placement after graduation. He emphasizes community-building among students through a shared lab space that supports collaboration. As a first-generation college graduate whose parents were Yugoslavian immigrants, he identifies with SJSU students and is committed to their success.
