Enzymes as Nanoscale Machines: The Intersection of AI, Biochemistry, and Engineering
Enzymes are nature’s tiny machines, responsible for everything from digesting food to breaking down environmental pollutants. But what if we could design custom-made enzymes to tackle real-world challenges—like neutralizing harmful chemicals or detecting diseases—more efficiently than ever before? Jing Pan Ph. D., a faculty member in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University…
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…
Fu & Dixon Work to Achieve Strategic Dominance
Dr. Jie Fu (PI) has been awarded $1.3 million in funding from the DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory for the project titled “Strategic Planning in Hierarchical Games: Achieving Rapid Dominance in the Uncertain World of Conflict (Shadow),” under Cooperative Agreement #W911NF-25-2-0045. Distinguished Professor Warren Dixon, chair of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of…
Perseverance Beyond the Stars: Josh Ehrlich’s Journey in Aerospace
For Josh Ehrlich, a University of Florida Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering alumnus, a passion for space has fueled a career with some of the most prestigious names in aerospace, including NASA, SpaceX, Lockheed Martin, and Blue Origin. His journey, from designing space systems to an eight-month Mars analog mission, proves that success isn’t about flawless grades…
Two Gator Engineers Honored with Attributes of a Gator Engineer Award
As the school year ends and engineering seniors bid a fond farewell, it would not be complete without the honor of bestowing superstar seniors with the Attributes of a Gator Engineer Award. These awards are presented to six undergraduate seniors who exemplify the highest ideals of the engineering community. The award categories are: Creativity, Leadership, Integrity,…
MAE Students Earn NSF Fellowships and Gator Engineering Awards
MAE Students Awarded Prestigious NSF Graduate Research Fellowships The University of Florida’s Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering is proud to announce that two of its brightest students have been named recipients of the highly competitive 2025 National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship. This prestigious honor recognizes outstanding students who are pursuing advanced degrees in…
MAE Students Awarded Prestigious NSF Graduate Research Fellowships
The University of Florida’s Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering is proud to announce that two of its brightest students have been named recipients of the highly competitive 2025 National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship. This prestigious honor recognizes outstanding students who are pursuing advanced degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and it provides…
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…
ME Capstone Spin-Off MOOchanics LLC Revolutionizes Agriculture with Artificial Cow Rumen Simulator
MOOchanics LLC, a startup born from a University of Florida senior design team project, is making notable progress as it prepares for the Big Idea Gator Business Plan Competition. The company was recently selected as an inaugural member of the F-300 AgFoodTech Startup Accelerator, a pioneering agricultural development initiative aimed at strengthening Newberry’s agri-food tech ecosystem…
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…