Two MEAM Researchers Selected for Rising Stars in Mechanical Engineering Workshop News / October 12, 2026 Marquise Bell, Provost’s Postdoctoral Research Fellow, and Luc Capaldi, a doctoral student, were selected for the 2026 Rising Stars in Mechanical Engineering workshop, a competitive program that prepares early-career researchers for careers in academia. Read More
Teaching Robots to Do More with Less Data News / October 5, 2026 Nadia Figueroa and her lab are developing new ways for robots to combine physics, planning and artificial intelligence, allowing them to learn useful skills from just a handful of demonstrations, and adapt when the world doesn’t go as planned. Read More
Weilun Qiu Defends Dissertation on Modeling Inelastic Material Behavior News / September 30, 2026 Weilun Qiu developed computational frameworks that combine statistical physics and machine learning to better understand how materials behave beyond their elastic limits, bridging the gap between microscopic interactions and complex macroscopic behavior. Read More
Dengge (Grace) Jin Receives Spring 2026 Outstanding TA Award News / September 29, 2026 Dengge (Grace) Jin has received the Spring 2026 Outstanding Teaching Assistant (TA) Award in Mechanical Engineering in recognition of her contributions to MEAM 3210, Dynamic Systems and Control. The award recognizes a graduate student whose dedication, initiative and teaching excellence have significantly enhanced the learning experience of mechanical engineering students. Read More
Shyam Sankaran Defends Dissertation on Neural Operators for Modeling Physical Systems News / September 16, 2026 Shyam Sankaran’s doctoral research develops more efficient neural operators that can rapidly model and predict the behavior of physical systems, advancing scalable computational tools for digital twins. Read More
Saheli Patel Defends Dissertation on Modeling and Controlling Flow in Compliant Structures News / August 27, 2026 Saheli Patel developed experimentally validated models to better understand and control fluid flow in compliant structures. Her research spans soft actuators, architected materials and valveless pumps while reflecting a Ph.D. journey that taught her to approach unfamiliar problems with confidence and independence. Read More
Francis Sowande Defends Dissertation on Physics- and Data-Informed Modeling of Infant Postural Control News / August 5, 2026 Francis Sowande developed physics- and data-informed models to improve how clinicians assess infant postural control, advancing more objective and accessible tools for the early detection of neuromotor impairments. Read More
Sumit Kumar Receives 2026 STLE Scholarship News / August 4, 2026 Sumit Kumar received an STLE scholarship to advance research on mucus-inspired biomaterials that could improve lubrication and reduce wear in healthcare applications, including treatments for cystic fibrosis and dry eye disease. Read More
Julia Radzio Defends Dissertation on Microfluidic Platforms for High-Throughput Biomolecular Screening News / July 28, 2026 Julia Radzio developed microfluidic technologies that improve high-throughput biomolecular screening, combining fluid dynamics and interdisciplinary collaboration to advance research tools for biotechnology and medicine. Read More
Vivek Sharma Defends Dissertation on the Multiscale Mechanical Regulation of Tumor Progression News / July 21, 2026 Sharma explored how mechanical forces influence cancer progression across multiple biological scales, combining mechanics, computational modeling, cancer biology and artificial intelligence to better understand disease. Read More
