The University of Florida Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering is pleased to welcome six new faculty members whose expertise and enthusiasm will enrich the department’s academic community. These scholars bring experience from leading research institutions across the country that will strengthen the department’s teaching, research and service missions.
Dr. Jaeyun Moon
Jaeyun Moon joins the MAE faculty as an assistant professor after serving as a postdoctoral scholar at Cornell University and working with Oak Ridge National Laboratory. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology before completing his master’s and doctoral degrees in mechanical engineering at the California Institute of Technology.
Moon leads the Complex Materials Group, where his research focuses on understanding the fundamental properties of complex materials, including liquids and glasses. His work develops new design principles for applications ranging from batteries and thermoelectrics to nuclear reactors. He is the recipient of the International Union of Crystallography Young Scientist Award for his contributions to the study of the thermal properties of glasses.
Moon said he is excited to join a collaborative community of faculty and students within UF MAE.
Dr. Sunjae Kim
Sunjae Kim joins the MAE faculty as an assistant professor. Originally from South Korea, Kim moved to Indiana to pursue his doctoral studies at Purdue University. His long-standing interest in rockets, aircraft and space systems continues to shape his research today.
Kim founded the KIM Space Lab, where students investigate the fundamental physics of multiphase flow and heat transfer in extreme environments relevant to space and energy applications.
“Working with UF MAE students is the number one reason that I am excited to wake up every morning and to head to my office and lab.” – Sunjae Kim
His passion for research and student mentorship will play an important role in the department’s growing space-focused initiatives.
Dr. Piran Kidambi
Piran Kidambi joins the MAE faculty as an associate professor following the Harrington Faculty Fellowship at the University of Texas at Austin. During his fellowship, he observed the unique impact that large public research universities can have on advancing both education and discovery.
“I am excited to be in an environment where peers and students share a vision for excellence in research to advance science and enable real-world hands-on engineering applications.” – Piran Kidambi
His research focuses on nanoscale mass transport, leveraging in situ metrology, bottom-up synthesis of nanostructures and process engineering to advance technologies in energy, environmental systems, catalysis, imaging and health care. Outside of work, Kidambi enjoys gardening, racquet sports, running, traveling and hiking.
Dr. Chase Hartquist
Chase Hartquist joins the department as an assistant professor. He earned his doctoral degree in mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he studied the mechanics of fracture in soft network materials.
Hartquist received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering from Washington University in St. Louis, where his research focused on the mechanics of vascular surgery and biomedical materials. His work centers on understanding the mechanical behavior and failure of soft structures, networks and polymers. He is excited to join the collaborative and dynamic MAE community.
“I am thrilled to work alongside the incredible faculty and students to contribute to this pursuit.” – Chase Hartquist
Dr. Jack Famiglietti
Jack Famiglietti joins the MAE family as an instructional assistant professor bringing with him experience in manufacturing, mechanics and engineering design. Dr. Famiglietti is a gator graduate and earned his Ph.D. from UF in 2022. After graduating, he cofounded Aurita Bioscience as a resource for the commercialization of the 3D cell structure platform he helped pioneer.
“I went through the UF MAE program myself and have always held a high level of respect for it. So, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to be a part of it and to give back.” said Famiglietti
Outside of the lab, Dr. Famiglietti enjoys being outdoors and soaking up all of Gainesville’s hidden treasures, whether that be on foot, bike, or boat. He is glad to feel right back at home again and looks forward to learning and working with other professors and students.
Dr. Claire Grégoire
Claire Grégoire joins the MAE faculty as an assistant professor after earning her doctoral degree in mechanical engineering from Texas A&M University. Her research centers on experimental studies of combustion processes and the development of detailed chemical kinetics models to support sustainable transportation energy.
“Graduate school in Texas, guided by exceptional mentors, cemented my love for research,” Grégoire said.
“I’m driven by curiosity and an appreciation for the discipline and precision this field demands.”
Grégoire’s recent work on gas-phase combustion of solid rocket propellants has deepened her interest in the kinetics of energetic materials.In her new role, she looks forward to mentoring students while continuing to grow through collaborative teaching and research.
MAE looks forward to the contributions of these six new faculty members and the lasting impact they will have on the UF and broader engineering community.
Story & Editing by: Gina Schoenfeld
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UF Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering
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UF Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering