Frederick A. Zenz was a chemical engineer, and received a B.A. in Chemistry from Queens College. He then earned his M.A. in Chemical Engineering, and a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Polytechnic University.
In 1942, Zenz began to work as a process development engineer for the M.W. Kellogg Company. Then, in 1944, he began working for the Kellex Corporation in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, as part of the Manhattan Project.
After the war ended he continued to work as an engineer, for HRI, Inc., the M.W. Kellogg Company, and Stone & Webster Engineering, before becoming an independent consultant in 1962. He also taught Chemical Engineering at Manhattan College, where he became the technical director of Particulate Solid Research Inc. (PSRI). He also founded and served as the director of Analogies in Matters of Science (A.I.M.S.).
The American Institute of Chemical Engineers recognized Zenz as one of the most notable Chemical Engineers, and he is recognized for his scholarly work as well. He has authored over 90 scientific papers, 18 book chapters, and numerous research papers for both PRSI and A.I.M.S.