The Latest From Mechanical Engineering
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The Department of Mechanical Engineering is an active research hub at the forefront of developments in human health, the environment, robotics, manufacturing, energy, and more. Our faculty, researchers, and students work on everything from designing clean engines to curing cancer. Read about what ME is doing to change the world right here in Minnesota.
Michael Feldkamp Receives National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship
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Mechanical engineering PhD student Michael Feldkamp has been awarded the National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship, a highly competitive program that recognizes exceptional graduate students in STEM fields.
Natasha Wright Wins 2025 IonE Impact Goal Grant
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Natasha Wright is leading one of 12 new projects funded by the Institute on the Environment’s (IonE) 2025 Impact Goal Grants.
The IonE Impact Goal Grant program supports interdisciplinary teams advancing bold solutions to the world's most pressing environmental challenges. Since its launch in 2019, the program has awarded over $2.2 million to projects that blend research, community engagement, and sustainability impact. In 2025, nearly $1.9 million was distributed to 12 new efforts spanning food systems, clean energy, climate resilience, and beyond.
Goldstein Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching Award Winners for 2024–2025
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The Department of Mechanical Engineering is proud to announce that Yusra Farhat Ullah and Zak Kujala have been selected as the 2024–2025 recipients of the Goldstein Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching Award. This prestigious honor recognizes graduate teaching assistants who demonstrate exceptional dedication, teaching excellence, and a significant impact on student learning.
Bold Ideas, Big Impact: Honoring Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship Awardees
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The Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship (DDF) at the University of Minnesota supports outstanding Ph.D. candidates by enabling them to focus fully on their research and dissertation writing. The fellowship provides a nine-month stipend, a tuition benefit, and an optional health insurance benefit, allowing fellows to complete their degree on time without the demands of teaching or research assistant duties.
Mechanical Engineering Students Recognized with 2025 CSE Community Impact Awards
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Three outstanding ME students have been honored with the 2025 College of Science and Engineering Community Impact Awards, recognizing their leadership and commitment to fostering an inclusive and welcoming community.
Daniel Escobar and Jeff Tithof Receive Nugent Family Faculty Teaching Award
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The Department of Mechanical Engineering is proud to announce Teaching Assistant Professor Daniel Escobar and Benjamin Mayhugh Assistant Professor Jeff Tithof as recipients of the 2025 Nugent Family Faculty Teaching Award.
Ognjen Ilic Receives NASA Early Career Faculty Award
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Ognjen Ilic, Assistant Professor in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Minnesota, has been awarded the NASA Early Career Faculty Award (ECF), which recognizes exceptional early-career researchers advancing space exploration technology. This prestigious award is part of NASA's Space Technology Research Grants Program, designed to support groundbreaking projects with the potential to transform space science and technology.
Xiaojia Wang Elevated to ASME Fellow for Pioneering Advances in Engineering
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Xiaojia Wang, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Minnesota, has been honored with election to the prestigious grade of ASME Fellow.
Taaresh Taneja Awarded 2025 Pui Best Dissertation Award
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Taaresh Taneja, a Ph.D. graduate in Mechanical Engineering advised by Assistant Professor Suo Yang, has received the 2025 Pui Best Dissertation Award. His research uses computational modeling to drive innovations in sustainable propulsion, energy generation, and pollution control, addressing key challenges in climate change mitigation.
William Northrop Joins the Ranks of Engineering’s Elite with SAE Fellow Induction
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William Northrop, Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Director of the Thomas E. Murphy Engine Laboratory at the University of Minnesota, has been inducted as a Fellow of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE).
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