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Message from the Chair

Dear Colleagues and Friends, 

I hope this message finds you in good health. Please enjoy our latest news within the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at UC San Diego. Ranging from multimillion-dollar research initiatives aimed at addressing military challenges to the creation of a hub for inertial fusion energy, we continue to pioneer cutting-edge advancements. Explore our most recent updates below!

Stefan Llewellyn Smith
Professor & Chair

UC San Diego MAE Faculty Join $221M Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI) for Department of Defense

Two faculty members from the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at UC San Diego are part of a nationwide multidisciplinary initiative awarded $221M for projects tackling military challenges. Professor Jorge Cortés will focus on synchronization in natural and engineered systems, while Assistant Professor Boris Kramer's team will develop rapid computational models for digital twin decision-making. Read More>>

Farhat Beg Among Key UC San Diego Leaders in DOE Grant for Fusion Energy Hub

The U.S. Department of Energy has granted $16 million to a multi-university team led by Lawrence Livermore National Lab, with UC San Diego included, to create the national Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE) Science & Technology Accelerated Research for Fusion Innovation & Reactor Engineering (STARFIRE) Hub. Farhat Beg, a UC San Diego professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, will play a key role in the development of curricula for master’s and Ph.D. students. His students will participate in IFE-related projects at Lawrence Livermore National Lab. Read More>>

Exploring the Impact of Type 2 Diabetes on the Vertebral Column with Claire Acevedo

A study, co-led by UC San Diego mechanical engineering Assistant Professor Claire Acevedo and UC San Francisco Associate Professor Aaron Fields, reveals that Type 2 diabetes impacts vertebral discs, causing stiffness and premature shape alterations. This discovery highlights opportunities for preventive and therapeutic interventions. Read More>>

Border-Bridging Brilliance: Olivia Graeve Named Tijuana Person of the Year

Olivia Graeve, a professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at UC San Diego, has been named the Tijuana Person of the Year by Madrugadores de Tijuana, honoring her founding of the ENLACE binational summer research program. Read More>>

Honors and Innovations: Professor Jorge Cortés Recognized at IEEE CDC

UC San Diego mechanical engineering Professor Jorge Cortés was honored with two awards at the IEEE CDC in Singapore for his significant contributions in cooperative control and pioneering research in autonomous feedback optimization. Read More>>

Celebrating Excellence: Davor Hrovat Receives Rufus Oldenburger Medal from ASME

Davor Hrovat, a UC San Diego adjunct distinguished professor of mechanical engineering, received the Rufus Oldenburger Medal from ASME for his lifelong contributions to automatic control in mechanical and aerospace engineering, emphasizing his exceptional leadership in vehicle and aircraft safety and performance. Read More>>

New Faculty Join MAE at UC San Diego

Haiwen Luan joins UC San Diego after working as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Northwestern Querrey Simpson Institute for Bioelectronics (QSIB). He earned his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Northwestern. 

Jennifer Mullin joins UC San Diego after holding positions at UC Davis, serving as a faculty member in the Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department and as a Program Manager in the UC Davis C-STEM Center.

Crafting Tomorrow's Skybound Car: Inside Khush Sarvaiya's Internship Journey

Khush Sarvaiya, an aerospace engineering student at UC San Diego, secured a prized internship with Alef Aeronautics, where he contributed significantly to the development of the world's first flying car aiming to receive the FAA's special airworthiness certificate. Read More>>

Julia Dominesey: Engineering Excellence with the Jacobs Fellowship

UC San Diego Ph.D. student Julia Dominesey received the Jacobs Fellowship, recognizing her academic and professional achievements while providing crucial support for her research pursuits. Read More>>

Soaring Success: Alumni-Founded Drone Company Takes Flight

At the forefront of the booming drone videography industry stands Epic Drone Tours, pioneered by UC San Diego alumni Zack Reuter (mechanical engineering ‘22) and Jack Spitser (international businesses ‘20). Their innovative approach has led to remarkable success, from capturing breathtaking real estate tours to live-streaming sports events like the San Diego Padres baseball games. Read More>>

From Uncertainty to Triumph: Hannah Wieck's Journey to Success in Mechanical Engineering

Hannah Wieck, a two-time University of California graduate, earned her master’s degree in mechanical engineering from UC San Diego. Initially uncertain about her future after her undergraduate degree, Hannah explored her passion for engineering more deeply by pursuing graduate studies. Her hands-on experiences during graduate school guided her toward a career as a Manufacturing Engineer at Northrop Grumman. Read More>>