Drones and decisions: UF optimizing communication among autonomous units
Imagine a cluster of drones swarming above a dense thicket of trees, eyeing its way through unfamiliar topography to locate a missing person amid unpredictable weather. Each drone has its own complex communication and computing capabilities. But as that weather starts to sour against the clock, the rescue mission requires group optimization, not a single drone…
SA Sherif Earns UF Mentoring Honors and ASME Dedicated Service Award
Many of us remember a mentor whose influence stayed with us long after the lessons ended. Someone whose guidance continues to shape how we think, work and lead. For many doctoral students in the department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of Florida, SA Sherif, Ph.D., has been that steady voice throughout their academic…
Subhash Selected for Prestigious Society of Engineering Science Fellowship
Ghatu Subhash, Ph.D., was selected for fellowship at the prestigious Society of Engineering Science (SES). This society sets itself apart because of its acute focus on engineering theory rather than practical applications. Small but mighty, SES boasts members from the National Academy of Science (NAS) and of Engineering (NES) as well as top researchers from around…
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…
From cells to solid state to public health, UF team building biosensors
Backed by a $3 million grant from the National Science Foundation, a University of Florida research team is combining living cells with solid-state materials to develop better tools for environmental monitoring. The idea revolves around biotechnology, which uses living organisms and biological processes to develop products and technologies. The UF engineering team plans to program living…
UF MAE Welcomes Six New Faculty Members
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…
Time for a change atop the Weil Hall clock tower
For years, the courtyard in front of Weil Hall, with its clock tower and time capsule, has been a work in progress. Standing over the busy intersection of Stadium Road and Gale Lemerand Drive across from Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, the tower has pride of place on the University of Florida campus but had not lived…