Professor Tom Schwartzentruber Receives Distinguished McKnight University Professorship

Tom Schwartzentruber, a professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics, is one of fourteen faculty members from across the University of Minnesota to receive the 2026 Distinguished McKnight University Professorship — one of the University's highest honors recognizing outstanding faculty members who have recently achieved full professor status. 

Professor Schwartzentruber joined the faculty in the Department of Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics at the University of Minnesota in 2008, after which he received a Young Investigator Program Award from the Air Force Office of Scientific Research and the University of Minnesota Taylor Career Development Award for exceptional contributions by a candidate for tenure.

Schwartzentruber currently leads the Computational Gas Dynamics Laboratory, which uses computer simulations to study complex gas behavior at a molecular level. This work also focuses on how gases interact with surfaces, particularly in high-altitude or micro-scale environments where traditional fluid dynamics approaches don't apply. Schwartzentruber has been involved with numerous publications on the subject, including two books, and is considered an expert in his field. 

"It feels great to be recognized by the University for my research impact. I have been very fortunate to work with outstanding graduate students and collaborators here at the University of Minnesota," said Schwartzentruber. "I am grateful for the McKnight research funding as it will enable me to continually seek out and lead in emerging research areas."

Along with the title of Distinguished McKnight University Professor, Schwartzentruber will receive $120,000 over the course of five years to be used for scholarly activities.