After obtaining my Bachelor’s in Engineering in 2002 with a minor in Mathematics, at the age of 19, I received a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship with which I obtained my Master’s from the University of Cambridge in 2004 and my PhD at the University of Groningen in 2005 at the age of 21, becoming the youngest PhD in The Netherlands. After a short post-doctoral period at Harvard/US and at Ecole des Mines of Paris/France, I was the youngest recipient of the European Research Council Starting/ERC Grant at the age of 24 (out of ~9,100 applicants only 300 were funded that year), which I carried out at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, between 2008-2013. In 2013 I joined the University of Arizona as an Associate Professor, and since 2017 I have been an Associate Professor and Faculty Fellow at the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department of the University of Florida, where I setup the Laboratory of Nanomaterials for Energy and Biological Applications.
Education
BS, Michigan Technological Univ, 2002,MPhil, Univ of Cambridge (Pembroke College), 2004,PhD, Univ of Groningen, 2005
Professional Memberships and Fellowships
American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Member
Teaching Interests
Li-ion Batteries, Energy Storage, Mechanical Design I
Research Interests
Katerina E. Aifantis focuses on using solid mechanics for understanding materials behavior at the nanoscale, such as dislocation-grain boundary and dislocation-graphene interactions. In addition to basic science questions, she uses her theoretical and experimental insight to predict the most promising materials systems that can be used in various applications, ranging from next generation electrodes for Li-ion batteries, to bone regeneration scaffolds and bioacompatible electrodes for deep brain stimulation.
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
- Shuang F. G , Aifantis, K.E, Dislocation-graphene interactions in Cu/graphene composites and the effect of boundary conditions: a molecular dynamics study, Carbon 172, 50-70, 2021.
- Du Z., Feng X., Cao G., She Z., Tan R., Aifantis K.E., Zhang R., Li X. ,The effect of carbon nanotubes on osteogenic functions of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells in vitro and bone formation in vivo compared with that of nano-hydroxyapatite and the possible mechanism, Bioactive Materials 6, 333-345, 2021.
- Hu P.P, Peng W.P, Wang BG, Xiao D.P, Ahuja U.G, Réthoré R., Aifantis K.E., Concentration-Gradient Prussian Blue Cathodes for Na-Ion Batteries, ACS Energy Letters 5, 100-108, 2020.
- Shuang F.G, Deng H.A, Shafique A. B.G, Marsh S., Treiman D., Tsakalis K., Aifantis K. E. A first study on nanoporous tungsten recording electrodes for deep brain stimulation. Materials Letters, article #126885 (4 pg), 2019.
- Huang Y.G, Deng H.A, Fan Y., Zheng L., Che J.G, Li X., Aifantis K.E., Conductive nanostructured Si biomaterials enhance osteogeneration through electrical stimulation, Matls Sci. & Eng. C 103, article# 109748 (10 pg), 2019.
- Hu P.P, Dorogov M., Yan X., Aifantis K.E., Transforming single crystal CuO/Cu2O nanorods into nano-polycrystalline Cu/Cu2O through lithiation, ChemElectroChem 6, 3139-3144, 2019.
Additional Roles
Assistant Director of the Industrial Assessment Center, and Assistant Director of the Mobile Energy Laboratory at the University of Florida. He is also an Affiliate Faculty at the Center for Latin American Studies
Education
BS, University of Chile, 1989
Ph.D. University of Florida, 1998
Professional Memberships and Fellowships
Association of Energy Engineers, Member
Research Interests
Industrial energy management and productivity, energy efficiency and optimization, energy policy, new energy sources and materials, chemical reactivity and structure optimization at molecular level.
Teaching Interests
Industrial Energy Management, Linear Algebra, Matrix and Numerical Methods, Chemical Systems Reactivity and Optimization.
Dr. Chung is currently the Andrew H. Hines, Jr./Progress Energy Eminent Scholar Chair Professor at the University of Florida. He joined the University of Florida in 1998 after 19 years on the faculty at the Washington State University. Dr. Chung holds both B.S. and M.S. degrees in Nuclear Engineering and had spent 6 years working as a nuclear reactor safety engineer in the industry before receiving his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania in 1979. Dr. Chung’s research activities have been in the general areas of fluid mechanics and heat transfer. Dr. Chung is a co-author for a book entitled “Transport Phenomena with Drops and Bubbles”. He has authored and co-authored over 170 archival journal papers and received the College of Engineering Research Excellence Award in 1988 at the Washington State University. He was awarded the University of Florida, Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, Doctoral Dissertation Advisor/Mentoring Award in 2008. Recent he received the 2014 ASME Heat Transfer Memorial award. Dr. Chung has served as a technical consultant to the Battelle Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and the Hewlett-Packard Corporation. Dr. Chung is a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
Education
Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, 1979,M.S. University of Missouri-Columbia, Nuclear Engineering, 1973,B.S. National Tsing Hua University, Taiwan, Nuclear Engineering, 1970
Professional Memberships and Fellowships
American Association for the Advancement of Science, Member
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Fellow 1996
Teaching Interests
Thermodynamics, heat transfer, phase change heat transfer and two-phase flow, energy conversion.
Research Interests
Dr. Chung’s research activities have been in the general areas of fluid mechanics and heat transfer with a special focus on bubble dynamics, phase change heat transfer, multiphase flows, microgravity boiling, turbulence in heated flows, micro-scale thermal transport, fuel cell thermal transport, space cryogenic line chilldown, storage and Transport, energy conversion, hydrogen Energy, biomass and solid waste conversion to clean energy by steam gasification.
Claire Grégoire is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of Florida. She received her Ph.D. from Texas A&M University, US, and her M.S. from the University of British Columbia, CA. Her research entails the experimental study on combustion processes while developing detailed chemical kinetics model that are crucial for sustainable transportation energy and safety of next-generation lithium-ion batteries. She is an expert in laser absorption spectroscopy and optical diagnostics, specializing in their application in shock tube experiments to investigate reaction chemistry at conditions relevant to advanced combustion systems and solid rocket propellants.
Education
Ph.D., 2024, Texas A&M University, US
MS, 2018, University of British Columbia, CA
BS-MS, 2015, Université d’Orléans, FR
Teaching Interests
Compressive Flow, Combustion, Thermodynamics, Heat Transfer, Optical Techniques.
Research Interests
Combustion, Gas Dynamics, Chemical Kinetics, Laser Diagnostics and Spectroscopy, Shock Tubes, Micro-Flow Reactors, Detonation, and Multiphase Flows.
Awards
• John H.S. Lee Young Investigator Award, ICDERS (2025)
• Dissertation Fellowship, TAMU (2023)
• Mike Walker ’66 Impact Award, TAMU (2022)
• Ralph-James Fellowship, TAMU (2021)
Selected Publications
• Mathieu, C. Grégoire, E.L. Petersen. Assessment of Detailed Kinetics Models for CO Formation in Ethylene Combustion via Time-Resolved Laser Absorption. Fuel 405 (2025) 136641.
• Grégoire, E.L. Petersen. Laser Absorption Measurements of HCl in a Shock Tube for Investigating the Chemical Kinetics of Rocket Propellants. AIAA SciTech 2025 Forum (2025) AIAA 2025-1381.
• Grégoire, O. Mathieu, J. Kalman, E.L. Petersen. Review and Assessment of the Ammonium Perchlorate Chemistry in AP/HTPB Composite Propellant Gas-Phase Chemical Kinetics Mechanisms. Progress in Energy and Combustion Science 106 (2025) 101195.
• Mathieu, C. Grégoire, E.L. Petersen. Shock-Tube Study of the Oxidation of Ammonia by N2O. Proceedings of the Combustion Institute 40:1-4 (2024) 105250.
• Grégoire, Y.M. Almarzooq, M. Khan-Ghauri, P. Diévart, L. Catoire, E.L. Petersen, O. Mathieu. Enhancing Lithium-Ion Battery Safety: Investigating the Flame-Retardant Efficacy of Bis(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl) Carbonate during Ethyl Methyl Carbonate Combustion. Proceedings of the Combustion Institute 40:1-4 (2024) 105559.
• Grégoire, S.P. Cooper, M. Khan-Ghauri, S.A. Alturaifi, E.L. Petersen, O. Mathieu. Pyrolysis study of dimethyl carbonate, diethyl carbonate, and ethyl methyl carbonate using shock-tube spectroscopic CO measurements and chemical kinetics investigation. Combustion and Flame 249 (2023) 112594.
Ryan Houim received his BSME from North Dakota State University and his MS and Ph.D. degrees from the Pennsylvania State University. He was a National Research Council post-doctoral fellow at the Naval Research Laboratory and a Research Assistant Professor at the University of Maryland prior to joining the University of Florida. His research is focused on understanding the dynamics of multiphase and chemically reactive flows using numerical simulation techniques. Applications of this work include dust explosions, detonation initiation, detonation engines, and the combustion of solid propellants and metal particles.
Education
Ph.D., 2011, The Pennsylvania State University
Professional Memberships and Fellowships
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Member
American Physical Society, Member
Teaching Interests
Fluid mechanics, combustion, heat transfer, thermodynamics, computational fluid dynamics
Research Interests
Combustion and multiphase flows including detonation initiation and propagation, dust explosions, propulsion, spray combustion, solid propellant and metal particle combustion.
Originally from Korea, Sunjae moved to West Lafayette, IN in 2020 for his doctoral study at Purdue. Following his graduate work, he started as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering at the University of Florida in January 2026.
His research focuses on understanding the effects of gravity on multiphase thermal-hydraulic characteristics, with a particular emphasis on cryogenic flow boiling physics. His primary goal is to leverage multiphase fluid-thermal science to innovate in-space thermal management systems. Prior to his doctoral studies, he worked as a Research Engineer at the Agency for Defense Development, a national lab in South Korea, where he focused on developing advanced thermodynamic systems for naval defense applications.
Education
Ph.D., 2025, Purdue University
M.S., 2017, Mechanical Engineering, Korea University
B.S., 2015, Mechanical Engineering, Korea University
Research Interests
Cryogenic Propellant Management (CFM)
Two-phase Thermal Management Systems
Boiling and Condensation
Parabolic Flight Experiments
Ultra-High Power Electronics Cooling
Teaching Interests
Heat Transfer
Thermodynamics
Fluid Mechanics
Two-phase flow and heat transfer
Research Groups
Space Systems
Thermal Transport, Thermodynamics and Power
Energy
Fluid Dynamics and Acoustics
Dr. William. E. Lear is an Associate Fellow of AIAA, recipient of the 2014 Energy Systems Award from AIAA, former Chair of the Terrestrial Energy Systems technical committee, and has served in multiple roles with the International Energy Conversion Engineering Conference, including Technical Program Chair. His areas of research are novel distributed generation systems, advanced turbomachinery, and low temperature fuel cells. He is co-inventor of the Power, Water Extraction, and Refrigeration system, a novel gas turbine-absorption refrigeration combined cycle, as well as several inventions in the area of direct methanol fuel cells.
Education
Ph.D., 1984, Stanford University
Teaching Interests
Thermal sciences, including gas turbine and fuel cell systems and the fundamental thermal sciences.
Research Interests
Novel distributed generation systems, advanced turbomachinery, and low temperature fuel cells; combustion, especially Flameless combustion; transport processes
Education
Ph.D., 2006, University of Maryland
Research Interests
Micro/nanoscale transport and nanotechnology for energy science and health applications; nanoengineering of functionalized membranes for energy conversion and storage and filtration/separation applications; heat and mass transfer in micro/nanostructures; microfluidic reactor platforms for fundamental energy research and reaction engineering; portable power
Professional Memberships and Fellowships
American Association for the Advancement of Science, Member
American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Member
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Fellow 2020
Institute of Electrics and Electronics Engineers, Member
Jing Pan received his PhD from Purdue University in 2017. His research focuses on developing nanoscale machineries for biotechnology applications. He conducted his postdoctoral research at Stanford University School of Medicine, where he demonstrated translational impact of his work in novel biosensors and molecular diagnostics.
Education
Postdoc, 2019 Stanford University
Ph.D, 2017 Purdue University
B.S, 2011 Xi’an Jiaotong University
Teaching Interests
Heat and Mass Transfer; Classical and Statistical Thermodynamics; Modern Optics and Imaging System Engineering; Biodesign
Research Interests
Macromolecular Machines; Directed Evolution; Self-assembly and self-organization; Bio-nanotechnology; Synthetic Biology; Medical Technology.
Professor Subrata Roy studies ionized gas physics and its various applications: (1) Atmospheric plasma actuators for flow mixing, propulsion, and turbulent flow control; (2) Hypersonic flows; (3) Space propulsion; and (4) Hydrodynamic models for micro and nanofluidics by incorporating Knudsen’s theory. Prof. Roy is a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI), a Distinguished Visiting Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, a Fellow of the ASME, and an Associated Fellow of the AIAA. He serves as a member of the Editorial Board of Nature Scientific Reports and Actuators. He has over 200 publications in peer-reviewed journals and bound volumes and holds over 30 patents including one on Wingless Electromagnetic Air Vehicle. Prof. Roy is also a nation appointed member to the NATO Science and Technology Organisation working group on plasma actuator and signature technologies. He served as the Forum Technical Chair for SciTech in 2018, Technical Discipline Chair for the 2016 SciTech Plasma Dynamics & Lasers Conference. Prior to his academic career, he spent several years in industry.
EDUCATION
PhD, 1994, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND FELLOWSHIPS
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Associate Fellow 2001
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Fellow 2004
Royal Academy of Engineering, Distinguished Visiting Fellow 2013
Royal Aeronautical Society, Fellow 2015
National Academy of Inventors, Inducted Fellow 2021
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Computational Fluid Dynamics and Heat Transfer, Hypersonics, Magnetogasdynamics, Plasma Based Flow Control, Electric Propulsion, and Micro/Nanoscale Flows.
Jonathan Scheffe is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of Florida. Prof. Scheffe’s research is focused on the conversion and storage of solar energy in the form of renewable fuels/electricity through thermochemical routes. He is the former chair of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Solar Energy Division and has co-authored more than 35 peer received publications in the field of solar thermal energy conversion. Prof. Scheffe receives research funding from the U.S. Department of Energy, Florida Department of Transportation, Qatar National Research Foundation and Industry.
Education
Ph.D., 2010, University of Colorado, Boulder
Professional Memberships and Fellowships
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Member
Teaching Interests
Thermodynamics, heat transfer, kinetics, solar engineering
Research Interests
Solar thermochemical and electrochemical energy conversion, defect chemistry and thermodynamics of nonstoichiometric oxides
Education
Ph.D., 2014, University of Florida
Teaching Interests
HVAC Systems, Energy Management
Dr. SA Sherif is Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and MAE Excellence Term Professor at the University of Florida. He is a Life Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME); a Life Fellow of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE); a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society; a Fellow of the American Society of Thermal and Fluids Engineers (ASTFE); an Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA); a Life Member of the American Society for Engineering Education; a Vice President of Commission B-2 of the International Institute of Refrigeration; a Member of the Board of Directors of the International Association for Hydrogen Energy; and a Founding Member of the Board of Directors and Vice President of Programs for the American Society of Thermal and Fluids Engineers (ASTFE). He served as Editor-in-Chief of the ASME Journal of Thermal Science and Engineering Applications (2014-2019) and as Editor-in-Chief of the ASME Journal of Solar Energy Engineering (2020-2028). He also served as Associate Editor of the International Journal of Hydrogen Energy (2005-2011), Solar Energy (2004-2021), ASME Journal of Heat Transfer (2007-2011), International Journal of Energy for a Clean Environment (2019-present), Springer Nature Energy Reports (2025-present), and currently serves on the Editorial Boards of 25 other journals in thermal/fluid and energy sciences. He also served as Guest Editor for the ASME Journal of Fluids Engineering (2002-2003) and the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society (London)-A (2024-2025). He is the recipient of numerous awards including the ASME Heat Transfer Memorial Award (2025), ASME Frank Kreith Energy Award (2024), ASME Heat Transfer Division 75th Anniversary Medal (2013), ASHRAE Exceptional Service Award (2010), ASHRAE Distinguished Award (2003), ASHRAE E.K. Campbell Award (1997), and the Kuwait Prize in Applied Sciences (2001). He was awarded Certificates of Recognition for Research Contributions from NASA and numerous certificates of dedicated service from ASME, ASHRAE, AIAA, ASTFE, International Solar Energy Society (ISES), and the Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers. He has 25 book chapters, 23 edited bound volumes, 400 technical papers, 300 technical reports, and two US patents. He is the primary editor of the Handbook of Hydrogen Energy (2014, CRC Press/Taylor & Francis Group).
Education
Ph.D., 1985, Iowa State University
Professional Memberships and Fellowships
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Associate Fellow 2002
American Society for Engineering Education, Member
American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Fellow 2002
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Fellow 2000
Royal Aeronautical Society, Fellow 2017
American Society of Thermal and Fluids Engineers, Fellow 2023
International Association for Hydrogen Energy, Member
International Institute of Refrigeration, Member
International Solar Energy Society, Member
Research/Teaching Interests
Heat and Mass Transfer, Thermodynamics, Thermal System Design and Optimization, Refrigeration, Cryogenics, HVAC, Solar Energy, Hydrogen Energy, Spacecraft Thermal Management, High-Speed Two-Phase Fluid Dynamics
Notable Awards
ASME Heat Transfer Memorial Award (2025)
ASME Frank Kreith Energy Award (2024)
ASME Heat Transfer Division 75th Anniversary Medal (2013)
ASHRAE Exceptional Service Award (2010)
Elected ASHRAE Distinguished Lecturer (2008)
AIAA Best Paper Award (2005)
ASME Best Paper Award (2005)
ASHRAE Distinguished Service Award (2003)
Kuwait Prize in Applied Sciences (2001)
ASHRAE E.K. Campbell Award of Merit (1997)
MAE Excellence Term Professorship (2021)
UF Foundation Term Professorship (2018)
UF Division III Superior Accomplishment Award (2007)
TIP Teaching Award, University of Florida (1998)
Links
- US-Australia Sustainable Energy Initiative
- UF Industrial Assessment Center
- International Association for Hydrogen Energy
- ASME Journal of Solar Energy Engineering
- ASME Journal of Thermal Science and Engineering Applications
- Applied Thermal Engineering
- Heat Transfer
- International Journal of Exergy
- International Journal of Energy for a Clean Environment
- International Journal of Hydrogen Energy
- Handbook of Hydrogen Energy
- International Communications in Heat and Mass Transfer
- Journal of Thermal Science
- Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer Research
- Journal of King Saud University – Engineering Sciences
- International Journal of Energy and Environment
- International Journal of Automotive and Mechanical Engineering
- Highlights of Sustainability
- ASME Frank Kreith Energy Award
- Cryo
- Energies
Dr. Jingjing Shi’s research focuses on understanding energy transport and conversion to solve thermal challenges in different systems, with an emphasis on wide and ultra-wide bandgap semiconductor devices for future power and radio-frequency applications. Her work utilizes multiscale modeling and experimental methods to understand effects of different mechanisms like atomistic structures and defects on energy transport in materials and at interfaces. The findings are leveraged for the electro-thermal codesign of power and RF devices to maximize their performance.
Dr. Shi is now a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Electronics Manufacturing and Reliability Laboratory in the Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology. She received her Ph.D. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University, and her bachelor’s degree in Engineering Mechanics and Aerospace Engineering from Tsinghua University.
Youngsup Song is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of Florida. He obtained his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from MIT, where he investigated multiphase heat transfer. Following his graduate work, he trained as a postdoctoral researcher at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory before joining the University of Florida.
Education
Ph.D., 2021, Mechanical Engineering, MIT
M.S., 2012, Mechanical Engineering, Yonsei University
B.S., 2010, Mechanical Engineering, Yonsei University
Teaching Interests:
Heat transfer, Thermodynamics, Fluid mechanics, Energy systems
Research Interests:
Thermo-fluid science, Energy systems, Thermal management of electronics and space applications, Electrochemical reactions, Advanced materials, MEMS/NEMS, Interfacial phenomena
Notable Awards:
First Place Presenter, Mechanical Engineering Research Exhibition, MIT, 2020
Sontheimer Travel Award, Mechanical Engineering, MIT, 2019
Winner of Nanotechnology and Materials, Microsystems Annual Research Conference, MIT, 2019
Mechanical Engineering Distinguished Fellowship, MIT
Publications:
Y. Song, C. D. Díaz-Marín, L. Zhang, H. Cha, Y. Zhao, E. N. Wang, Three-Tier Hierarchical Structures for Extreme Pool Boiling Heat Transfer Performance. Adv. Mater. 2022, 34, 2200899.
Y. Song, L. Zhang, C. D. Díaz-Marín, S. S. Cruz, E. N. Wang, Unified Descriptor for Enhanced Critical Heat Flux During Pool Boiling of Hemi-wicking Surfaces. Int. J Heat Mass Transfer. 2022, 183, 122189
K. L. Wilke, Y. Song, Z. Lu, E. N. Wang, Enhanced Laplace Pressures for Functional Surfaces: Wicking, Switchability, and Selectivity. Adv. Mater. Interface. 2023, 10 2210967
Y. Song, D. Lilley, D. Chalise, S. Kaur, R. S. Prasher, Predicting Supercooling of Phase Change Materials in Arbitrarily Varying Conditions. Cell Reports Physical Science. 2023, 4, 101462
Y. Song, D. Lilley, S. Kaur, R. S. Prasher, Simultaneous Heat and Electricity Storage in a Flow Battery System. ACS Omega. 2025, 5c04280
Professor Xin Tang received his Post-doctoral training from Harvard University and Ph.D. from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His research centers at the interface of engineering, physics, chemistry, and biology. His lab studies cell and molecular mechanics in cancer, cardiovascular system, and neurons; unconventional mechano-electrophysiology; quantitative in vivo/vitro functional bio-imaging; AI/ML-powered bio-nanotechnology; and development of new biophysical tools to probe biological function/structure. His research is supported by NIH, NSF, AFOSR/DoD, UF Health Cancer Center, UF Opportunity Funds, and etc. He was awarded the NIH Maximizing Investigator’s Research Award (R35), American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Tumor Microenvironment (TME) Junior Investigator, Researcher of the Year 2024 Award in the Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, NIH/NCI-designated UF Health Cancer Center Rising Star of the 2024 Year Award, and Faculty Advisor/Mentor of the Year 2025 Award in the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering.
Education
Postdoc, 2017, Harvard University
Ph.D., 2013, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Teaching Interests
Active Soft Matter Biophysics; Biomechanics at Molecular, Cellular and Tissue Scales; Quantitative Optical Bio-imaging; Continuum Mechanics; and Finite-element Analysis
Research Interests
Biomechanics, Mechanobiology and Soft Matter: Cell and molecular mechanics in cancer development and metastasis, cardiovascular system, and neurons; unconventional mechano-electrophysiology; quantitative in vivo/vitro functional bio-imaging; bio-nanotechnology; and development of new biophysical tools to probe biological function/structure.
Recent Publications
Yin Xin, Keming Li , Miao Huang, Chenyu Liang, Dietmar Siemann, Lizi Wu, Youhua Tan, and Xin Tang, Biophysics in tumor growth and progression: from single mechano-sensitive molecules to mechanomedicine. 2023, Oncogene (Nature), https://www.nature.com/articles/s41388-023-02844-x.pdf.
Note: This article is selected as “The best of Oncogene 2023″.
Chenyu Liang, Qian Zhang, Xin Chen, Jiawei Liu, Mai Tanaka, Shu Wang, Sharon E. Lepler, Zeyuan Jin, Dietmar W. Siemann, Bo Zeng, and Xin Tang, Human cancer cells generate spontaneous calcium transients and intercellular waves that modulate tumor growth, Biomaterials (Impact Factor: 15.3), 2022, 290, 121823, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S014296122200463X.
Chenyu Liang, Miao Huang, Tianqi Li, Lu Li, Hayley Sussman, Yao Dai, Dietmar W. Siemann, Mingyi Xie, and Xin Tang, Towards an integrative understanding of cancer mechanobiology: calcium, YAP, and microRNA under biophysical forces, Soft Matter (Impact Factor: 4.1), 2022,18, 1112-1148, https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2022/sm/d1sm01618k
Professor Emeritus (Department Time: 2018 – 2024)
Professor Trainham’s research interests are in renewable energy. Before joining UF, Trainham spent most of his professional career in industry: four years as chief technology officer JDC Phosphate, four years as vice president, distinguished fellow and director of the Research Triangle Solar Fuels Institute at RTI International, senior vice president of Sundrop Fuels (a solar fuel company), served as global vice president of Science and Technology at PPG Industries, and had a 25-year career at the DuPont Company. Trainham was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 1997. Received the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Award for Chemical Engineering Practice, 2002; selected as “one of the 100 Chemical Engineers of the Modern Era” by the AIChE, 2008; Elected Fellow AIChE, 2012; and Received the Industry Leadership Award, 2016. His industrial expertise is in technology commercialization of both product and process technologies.
Education
PhD, 1979, University of California, Berkeley
Professional Memberships and Fellowships
National Academy of Engineering, Member
American Institute of Chemical Engineer, Member
Research Interests
Renewable energy, synthetic fuels including hydrogen production, energy storage, electrochemical engineering, and techno-economics of energy alternatives
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
Lawrence Ukeiley is currently a Professor in the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department at the University of Florida. His primary research interests are in experimental fluid dynamics and turbulence as related to flow control, aeroacoustics, fluid structure interactions and the development of low order models. He received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Alfred University in 1989 and his MS and PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Clarkson University in 1992 and 1996 respectively. Since graduating with his doctorate he has held positions at BEAM Technologies (Research Scientist), NASA Langley Research Center (NRC Post-Doctoral Associate) and the Jamie Whitten National Center for Physical Acoustics at the University of Mississippi (Research Scientist and Research Assistant Professor) before joining the faculty at UF. Dr. Ukeiley is an active member in many professional society and has served on the Technical Committees in both the AIAA and ASME.
Education
Ph.D., 1996, Clarkson University
Professional Memberships and Fellowships
American Association of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Member
American Physical Society, Member
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Fellow 2018
Sigma Xi, Member
Teaching Interests
Fluid Dynamics, Aerodynamics, Experimental Methods
Research Interests
Fluid Mechanics, Experimental Methods, Turbulence, Aeroacoustics, Flow Control, Reduced Order Modeling, Bio-Inspired Low Reynolds Number Fluid Dynamics, Fluid Structure Interactions