Education
B.S., 2012, University of Florida,M.S., 2013, University of Florida,Ph.D., 2017, University of Florida
Professional Memberships and Fellowships
American Society of Engineering Education, Member
Teaching Interests
Numerical methods, control systems, and optimization.
Education
Ph.D., 1988, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Professional Memberships and Fellowships
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Member
American Society of Engineering Education, Member
American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Member
Research Interests
My current research interests center on engineering education with emphasis on peer mentoring and advising processes, incorporation of AI augmented recommender systems in academic and career mentoring, and factors affecting matriculation of students from undergraduate to graduate study.
Education
Ph.D., 2006, University of Florida
Professional Memberships and Fellowships
The American Society for Mechanical Engineers, Member
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Member
Teaching Interests
Engineering Mechanics (statics, dynamics, mechanics of materials)
Engineering Design
Computer Programming for Engineers (LabVIEW and Matlab)
Research Interests
Computational image analysis
Electrical contact mechanics
Tribology
Engineering education methods for very-large enrollment courses
Education
Ph.D., 2020, University of Florida
Research Interests
Prognostics and health management, maintenance of aircraft structure
Teaching Interests
- Capstone Senior Design classes: Mechanical Engineering Design III, Aerospace Design I (Spacecraft Design), and Aerospace Design II (Aircraft Design).
- Solid Mechanics classes: Finite Element Analysis and Design, Mechanics of Materials, Aerospace Structures, and Mechanical Engineering Design I.
Dr. Famiglietti earned his Ph.D. from the University of Florida in 2022 after which he worked in the biotech startup community in Gainesville for several years before returning to UF to teach.
Teaching Interests
Engineering Design, Design for Manufacturing, Mechanics, Measurement and Analysis Techniques
After 20 years in the robotics industry, Mike came back to UF to teach the design courses.
Education
1991 Ph.D. University of Florida
1988 MSME University of Florida
1985 BSME University of Florida
Professional Memberships and Fellowships
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Member
Teaching Interests
Design, Kinematics, Statics, Numerical Methods
Research Interests
Kinematics, Statics, Screw Theory
Education
Ph.D., 1993, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Professional Memberships and Fellowships
American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Member
Research Interests
Multifunctional structures, Finite Element Method, Geometric Modeling, Design Optimization and Rapid Prototyping.
Education
Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, 1995, University of Minnesota
Professional Memberships and Fellowships
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Member
Research Interests
Aeroservoelasticity, morphing, controls, and flight testing.
Dr. Sean Niemi received his Ph.D in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Florida in 2018.
Education
Ph.D., 2018, University of Florida
Professional Memberships and Fellowships
American Society of Engineering Education, Member
Society of Automotive Engineers, Member
Teaching Interests
Engineering Design, Precision Engineering, Tribology, Metrology, Quality and Manufacturing Engineering
Dr. Umesh Persad obtained his Ph.D. in Engineering Design from The University of Cambridge (Cambridge Engineering Design Centre), with a special focus on Inclusive and Healthcare Design. His areas of interest include Engineering Design and Product Development, Applied Artificial Intelligence, Educational Innovation and Technology, and Academic Strategy and Leadership. Dr. Persad previously held the position of Associate Professor and Head of Department of the Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing and Entrepreneurship (MME) Department at The University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT), West Indies. He was also the co-director of the UTT Centre for Applied Artificial Intelligence Research (CAAIR).
Dr. Persad consults for companies across a range of industries in carrying out design and innovation audits, and in developing methods and tools that support product and process innovation. He is driven by the desire to develop creative young engineers, and to develop solutions that could help people and make technology available to those who need it the most. Dr. Persad’s greatest satisfaction comes from seeing students’ confidence grow in their own problem-solving abilities while developing the right attitudes to be successful lifelong learners and contributors to society.
Education
Ph.D. (2012), Engineering Design, University of Cambridge
B.Sc. (2000), Mechanical Engineering (First Class Honours), University of the West Indies
Professional Memberships and Fellowships
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Member
Teaching Interests
Engineering Design and Product Development
Creativity and Innovation
Design for People
Research Interests
Artificial Intelligence in Design
Computational Design Synthesis for Biomedical Applications
Inclusive/Universal Design
Design Management and Process Improvement
Engineering Design Education – Artificial Intelligence Applications
Selected Publications
Education
Ph.D., 2014, University of Florida
Teaching Interests
HVAC Systems, Energy Management
Dr. Matthew J. Traum is an experienced educator, administrator, fund raiser, and researcher serving the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of Florida as an instructional faculty member. Traum serves as Principle Investigator of UF’s GatorKits Laboratory focused on pedagogical research and best practices for hands-on kit-centered STEM instruction. A serial entrepreneur and inventor in the Ed Tech, Energy Tech, Bio Tech, and Ag/Food Tech industries, Dr. Traum has founded or co-founded 9 companies mostly in collaboration with former students to commercialize products and services conceptualized through his research and teaching practices. Previously, Dr. Traum was an Associate Professor and Director of Engineering Programs at Philadelphia University. Prior to PhilaU, he served on the Milwaukee School of Engineering faculty and was co-founder of the Mechanical & Energy Engineering Department at the University of North Texas – Denton. Dr. Traum’s pedagogical expertise includes teaching and assessment for remote STEM courses with labs, virtual exchange with international partners, and evaluating large-enrollment engineering design and lab courses including senior design. His experimental research expertise encompasses design and metrology of novel alternative energy systems including Tesla turbines, direct-air cryogenic carbon sequestration, and vapor transport through multi-functional micro- and nano-porous media.
Education
B.S., 2001, Mechanical Engineering, University of California – Irvine,
B.S., 2001, Aerospace Engineering [cum laude], University of California – Irvine,
M.S., 2003, Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology,
Ph.D., 2007, Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Professional Memberships and Fellowships
Association of Energy Engineers, Member
American Association of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Member
American Society of Engineering Education, Member
American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Member
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Member
Tesla Engine Builders Association, Member
Textbook & Academic Authors Association, Member
Teaching Interests
Design and Energy-Thermal-Fluids
Research Interests
Teaching and assessing Web-based STEM courses with labs; evaluation and instruction of large-enrollment engineering design courses; design and metrology for novel alternative energy systems: Tesla turbines, direct-air cryogenic carbon sequestration, and vapor transport through micro- and nano-porous media.
Notable Awards
2025 UF International Center Global Learning Excellence Award for Impact
2025 UF Career Connections Center Career Influencer Award – Faculty Category Nominee
2024 UF Affordable Access Award
2024 Santa Fe College TRIO Community Partnership Award
UF Research Promotion Initiative Award, Spring 2024.
ASEE PreK-12 Spotlight Recognition: STEMTank Program, Summer 2023
UF MAE Excellence in Teaching Innovation Award, 2023
University of Florida Superior Accomplishment Award for Community Service, Division 3 – Academic Affairs, 2021
WACE Exemplary Practice Award, 1st Place for STEMTank, Association of Florida Colleges Workforce Adult & Continuing Education Commission (WACE), 2020
Publications
Applied Research:
S. K. S. Boetcher, J. B. Perskin, Y. Maidenberg, M. J. Traum, T. von Hippel, “Direct Atmospheric Cryogenic Carbon Capture in Cold Climates,” Carbon Capture Science & Technology, Vol. 8, 2023, 100127. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ccst.2023.100127
M. J. Traum, J. Mishur, “Thermoelectric Power Production Efficiency Can Surpass Photovoltaics Under Concentrated Sunlight Due to High-Temperature Performance Degradation,” International Journal of Applied Energy Systems, Vol. 5, Issue 2, pp. 13-30, 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21608/ijaes.2023.160967.1014
F. Hadi, H. Yang, M. J. Traum, “Assessment of Performance of Tesla Turbine in Water Distribution Systems for Energy Harvesting,” ASME Journal of Energy Resources Technology, Vol. 143, No. 4, pp. 042101-1 to 042101-7, April 2020. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4048018
Pedagogical Research:
A. L. Provost, M. J. Traum, A. M. Kohnen, T. Cothren, J. A. Doher, J. L. Garcia, J. Yawn, C. Diaz, “Bridging the Divide: Addressing Barriers to Cross-Institutional Collaboration through the TRAVE Framework,” Learning Abstracts, Published by the League for Innovation in the Community College, January 2026
M. J. Traum, A. L. Provost, J. A. Doher, “STEMTank – Implementing Online an Engineering Summer Camp for Underprivileged High School Students in Response to COVID-19,” Opportunity Matters: Journal of Access and Opportunity in Education, Published by the Pell Institute for the Study of Opportunity in Higher Education, Vol. 4, 2022. URL: https://coenet.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/2022-Opportunity-Matters-Journal-Volume-4.pdf
M. J. Traum, J. Fiorentine, “Rapid Evaluation On-Line Assessment of Student Learning Gains for Just-In-Time Course Modification,” Journal of Online Engineering Education, Vol. 12, No. 1, Article 2, June 2021. URL: https://onlineengineeringeducation.com/index.php/joee/article/view/45