MME Named Professorships

Bai Cui, Ph.D.

Title: R. Vernon McBroom Associate Professor of Mechanical and Materials Engineering

Dr. Cui’s research areas cover advanced metal and ceramic materials for extreme environments, laser additive manufacturing, and laser shock peening. He was recognized by the Global Star Award from Engineering Ceramics Division of American Ceramic Society and Faculty Research & Creative Activity Award from the College of Engineering.

Yuris Dzenis, Ph.D.

Title: R. Vernon McBroom College Professor

Dr. Dzenis’ research focuses on high-performance nano-bio-materials, nanomanufacturing, and predictive nondestructive evaluation, working to create tougher fibers for advanced structural, defense, and biomedical applications. He has served as a visiting professor at institutions in New Zealand, Italy, France and Japan.

Shane Farritor, Ph.D.

Title: David B. and Nancy K. Lederer Professor of Engineering

Dr. Farritor’s professional interests center on miniature surgical robots and space robotics, as well as developing community makerspaces. He is a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors and is the founder of two start-up companies.

George Gogos, Ph.D.

Title: Wilmer J. and Sally Hergenrader Chair of Mechanical Engineering

Primary research areas for Dr. Gogos include flow and heat transfer using functionalized metallic surfaces, micro-fluidics, flame weeding, and vaporizing and combusting sprays. He serves as co-director for the Center for Electro-Optics and Functionalized Surfaces and is co-founder of a start-up company developing equipment for certified organic weed control.

Eric Markvicka, Ph.D.

Title: Robert F. & Myrna L. Krohn Assistant Professor of Mechanical and Materials Engineering

Dr. Markvicka's research focuses on engineering electronics and machines that replicate the mechanical compliance and adaptability of biological systems. His work involves pioneering new classes of soft multifunctional materials and innovative manufacturing techniques. He is a 2024 NSF CAREER Award recipient, was named a 2024 ASME Rising Star of Mechanical Engineering and received the 2021 NUtech Ventures Emerging Innovator of the Year Award.

Jae Sung Park, Ph.D.

Title: Richard L. McNeel Associate Professor of Mechanical and Materials Engineering

Dr. Park’s research covers a wide range of fluid mechanics from microfluidics to turbulence for health, energy, and environmental applications. He is the recipient of an NSF CAREER Award, the ASME Rising Star of Mechanical Engineering, and the College Distinguished Teaching Award.

Ryan Pedrigi, Ph.D.

Title: Robert F. and Myrna L. Krohn Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering

Dr. Pedrigi’s research explores the importance of mechanics in regulating the biological functions of cells to improve medicine through the development of new therapeutics, medical devices, and computational tools. Through more than 15 years in research, he has developed an expertise in biomechanics and mechanobiology that includes an NSF CAREER Award.

Kamlakar P. Rajurkar, Ph.D.

Title: College Distinguished Professor of Engineering

Dr. Rajurkar is internationally recognized for his contributions in advanced manufacturing techniques, including receiving the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) /American Society Mechanical Engineers M. Eugene Merchant Manufacturing Medal and SME's Gold Medal. He is a Fellow with SME and the International Academy for Production Engineering.

Jeffrey Shield, Ph.D.

Title: Robert W. Brightfelt Professor of Engineering

Dr. Shield’s research centers around developing nanoscale and nanostructured functional materials used in energy conversion or sensing applications, as well as advanced materials characterization using electron microscopy. He was given the Pi Tau Sigma Gold Key Award and has received several distinguished teaching awards.

Joseph Turner, Ph.D.

Title: Robert W. Brightfelt Professor of Mechanical and Materials Engineering

Dr. Turner’s research focuses on quantitative modeling and characterization of materials and microstructures using ultrasound and scanning probe microscopy. He is a Fellow of the Acoustical Society of America and received the Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel Research Prize for his research achievements from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation.

Jian Wang, Ph.D.

Title: Wilmer J. and Sally L. Hergenrader Presidential Chair of Mechanical and Materials Engineering

Dr. Wang’s areas of research include exploring the microstructures-deformation mechanisms-properties relations and designing alloys and composites for applications under extreme conditions using multiscale materials modeling and experiments. He is a Fellow of ASME and ASM International and received the TMS Materials Processing & Manufacturing Division (MPMD) Distinguished Scientist/ Engineer Award.

Ruiguo Yang, Ph.D.

Title: Robert F. and Myrna L. Krohn Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering

Dr. Yang’s research primarily focuses on relationships between cells – how they are joined, how they communicate, and their resilience – with a goal of providing the foundation for new medical breakthroughs in areas such as drug delivery and treatments for diseases. He received an NSF CAREER Award and a National Institutes of Health COBRE Early Investigator Award.