Message From The Chair – Summer 2025
As we welcome summer, I’m proud to reflect on another extraordinary season at MAE. This edition of our newsletter showcases the incredible breadth and depth of work happening across our department—from space biomanufacturing and award-winning research to student-driven innovation and alumni distinction. Each story speaks to the excellence that defines us. Our faculty continue to lead…
2025 MAE Awards: Honoring Excellence in Innovation and Achievement
The UF Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering gathered at the Wayne J. Reitz Union’s Rion Ballroom for a vibrant evening of celebration, honoring the outstanding achievements of its faculty, staff, students, and alumni. Dr. Warren Dixon warmly welcomed the crowd as guests enjoyed dinner, lively conversation, and a shared sense of pride in the UF…
Honoring Excellence: MAE Professors James A. Trainham and John D. Abbitt III Retire, Leaving Enduring Legacies
James A. Trainham James A. Trainham, Professor and Associate Chair for Industry Relations at the University of Florida’s Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, has retired after an illustrious career that seamlessly bridged academia and industry. His tenure at the Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering (MAE) has been marked by significant contributions to advancing renewable energy…
UF’s Douglas Spearot Honored with Prestigious Brimacombe Medal by The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society
Douglas Spearot, Ph.D., the Newton C. Ebaugh Professor, has been recognized by The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society (TMS), the largest professional society for materials science and engineering. TMS has more than 10,000 members worldwide, and only nine professionals were selected this year for the Brimacombe Medal. The Brimacombe Medal is a mid-career award that recognizes…
UF Space Researchers Explore How Microbes Can Help Make Essential Products in Space
A new experiment that launched to the International Space Station (ISS) on November 4th, 2024, and returned on December 17th, 2024, explored how microbes can help produce useful materials like medicines and plastics in space. The experiment was part of a larger project to see how microbes perform in the low-gravity environment, and to determine if…
UF Researcher Aims to Transform Cooling in Mobility, Electronics, and More
Enhancing Heat Dissipation in Mobility Technologies As electric vehicles and other advanced mobility technologies continue to evolve, one of the biggest challenges remains efficient heat dissipation. Youngsup Song, Ph.D., a researcher in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of Florida, is working on innovative thermal interface materials to address this issue. His…
Excellence in Innovation: Faculty Members Receive Prestigious Honors
Gator Engineers are Bringing Home Gold In the vibrant spirit of the 2024 Paris Olympics, the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of Florida is basking in the glory of its own golden achievements. Just as Olympic athletes strive for the pinnacle of excellence, our esteemed faculty members are setting unparalleled standards in…
Professor Jingjing Shi: Pioneering Thermal Management for a Sustainable Future
In the dynamic landscape of mechanical engineering, Professor Jingjing Shi stands out as a visionary dedicated to advancing energy transport and conversion. Her specialized focus on thermal management within semiconductor systems is not only revolutionizing electronic device performance but also contributing significantly to a sustainable and technologically advanced society. Professor Shi’s journey into mechanical engineering was…
Unlocking Solar Power in Spain: Dr. Scheffe Opens Exciting Opportunities for Engineering Students
You may not expect it, but among the rocky hills and cerulean beaches of Southern Spain lies some of the best solar technology in the world. Thanks to Jonathan Scheffe, Ph.D., a Mechanical Engineering Professor at the University of Florida, students have the opportunity to experience the beauty of Southern Spain, as well as its advanced…
Associate Professor Matthew Traum Wins Stevens Virtual Exchange Initiative Award
Dr. Matthew Traum, Senior Lecturer and Instructional Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering has been named one of the 11 awardees of this year’s J. Christopher Stevens Virtual Exchange Initiative Award for his Hands-on Energy and Thermo-fluids (HEAT) Program. This year, this extremely competitive grant program supports Virtual Exchanges between students in…