Florida Rocket Lab Achieves First-Ever Liquid Rocket Engine Hotfire in UF History
Florida Rocket Lab, a student team at the University of Florida Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering has successfully designed, built and hotfired “Sparrow,” a proven 550 lbf bipropellant rocket engine. The result marks a historic milestone for the university, as it completed a series of full-duration hotfires with zero failures, the first in UF history….
Engineering the Future, Mentoring the Next: Yong Huang Ph.D.
Dr. Yong Huang is a professor in the departments of mechanical and aerospace engineering, biomedical engineering, materials science and engineering, chemical engineering, and electrical and computer Engineering at the University of Florida. A passionate researcher and mentor, Huang focuses on advanced manufacturing, particularly how materials behave during processing and how innovative manufacturing methods can be used to tackle real-world…
MAE Faculty Recognized with NASA Group Achievement Award for LISA Mission
Faculty members John Conklin and Peter Wass in the University of Florida’s Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering have been recognized with a NASA Group Achievement Award for their contributions to the **Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) mission Study Team. The award, issued in July 2025, recognizes the team “for exceptional performance and success in achieving…
Chase Hartquist Awarded Prestigious Haythornthwaite Foundation Grant for Early-Career Faculty
Chase Hartquist, Ph.D., was presented with the Haythornthwaite Foundation Research Initiation Grant by the Applied Mechanics Division of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). This award is for early-career faculty that engage in theoretical and applied mechanics research; recipients are expected to present their progress on their proposed project by the next year. Hartquist leads…
Message From The Interim Department Chair – Spring 2026
As we start the new calendar year and welcome the energy of the spring semester, I’m excited to share the remarkable accomplishments, innovations, and milestones from across UF MAE. Our department continues to thrive with the creativity, dedication, and collaboration of our faculty, staff, and students. Completing our hiring cycle from last year, we’re thrilled to fully welcome six exceptional…
Modeling, Mechanics, and Medicine – How the Sarntinoranont Group is Engineering the Future of Cancer Treatment
Malisa Sarntinoranont, Ph.D., Professor, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in the College, is a leading force in interdisciplinary engineering, integrating mechanical and biomedical research at the Soft Tissue Mechanics and Drug Delivery Laboratory. The Sarntinoranont group is developing exciting research tools for soft tissue mechanics associated with tumors and drug delivery in the body. Their work…
Thank You For Standing Up For MAE
Gator Nation, you stood up and boy did you holler! Giving Day 2026 was incredible and it’s all thanks to you. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, MAE received 162 donations and led the College of Engineering in total dollars raised. Every gift, large and small, helps fuel student success, groundbreaking research, and the…
Gator battle bots recovering after successful skirmishes in Connecticut
Nursing battles wounds and awaiting repairs, Steggy and Termigator the battle bots are back in Gainesville after a smashing December showing at the National Havoc Robot League World Championships. The University of Florida’s Gator Robotics team competed in the championship in Norwalk, Connecticut on Dec. 6. About 80 college and non-academic teams competed in three weight classes — 3, 12 and 30 pounds — with up to 30 qualifying bots in…
SASE the Day: Blending STEM, Culture, and Community at UF
The Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers (SASE) is a national organization that supports students pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, and math. It offers members opportunities to grow professionally, build lasting connections, and contribute through service and leadership. The UF chapter is one of the largest student organizations on campus, known for its energetic community…
John Sullivan: From Gator Engineer to Aerospace Leader and Mentor
John Sullivan, chair of the External Advisory Board, has devoted his career to advancing aerospace engineering. After earning his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida, Sullivan began working at Pratt & Whitney as an analytical engineer. During his time there, he developed expertise in subsonic, transonic and supersonic aerodynamics while also gaining practical skills such…