MAE Aerospace Engineer and Forbes Africa ‘30 Under 30’ honoree wants to help define Africa’s next era in space
One of my earliest memories is looking at the moon as a child in Nairobi, Kenya, and wondering, “Why is the moon following me?” Space became the ultimate canvas for my curiosity. The moment that transformed that curiosity into a mission came in 2011, when I watched the final space shuttle launch live in Florida. Surrounded…
MAE Capstone Experiences
Mechanical Engineering Experience If you are an engineer, there is a good chance that you still remember your Capstone project. Capstone is the culminating experience of an undergraduate engineer’s time in MAE – it is an opportunity for students to combine all of the practical and theoretical knowledge that they have accumulated to create a prototype…
Record number of NSF Graduate Research Fellowships awarded to MAE students
This year, five MAE students were selected for the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP). This fellowship distinguishes students from around the nation and supports their graduate studies and research pursuits. The group includes outgoing undergraduates as well as established graduate students, highlighting the excellence of UF Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering students…
2026 MAE Awards Celebration
The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering gathered students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends for its annual Awards Celebration in April, an evening dedicated to celebrating achievement, service, and the MAE community. The banquet represents months of coordination and teamwork across the department and beyond. Teams and individuals throughout the MAE community worked together to highlight…
UF Solar Gators unveil sleeker sun racer to go the distance
With a black cloth draped over months of work, anticipation built earlier this month as the University of Florida’s Solar Gators prepared to reveal the next evolution of their solar-powered race car. When the cover finally dropped, applause and possibility filled the room as Flare — sleeker, larger and reengineered — marked the team’s latest step…
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….
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…
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…
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…