May 2023: Unleash • Create • Inspire

May 2023

Message from Magnus

As people graduate from our programs and go out into the world, it is important to us that we stay connected. Our current students benefit significantly from engaging with those who have come before them, and we rely on generous support from our alumni to be able to continue delivering world-class engineering research and teaching experiences. I am happy to report that UCI Giving Day was a success in that regard, with the Samueli School of Engineering raising $93,750 from 143 gifts. I want to extend my heartfelt thank you to those who donated. Know that you make a difference to our school! (And even though Giving Day is officially over, you can still give to the Samueli School here.)

Best,

Magnus Egerstedt, Ph.D.

Stacey Nicholas Dean of Engineering

Schoenung named a Materials Research Society fellow

UCI Samueli School’s Julie Schoenung is one of 17 materials scientists worldwide elected a 2023 fellow of the Materials Research Society for distinguished research accomplishments and outstanding contributions to the advancement of materials research.

Athina Markopoulou shares insights on privacy and data transparency

In Greek mythology, Athena is the goddess of wisdom and war. UCI’s Athina Markopoulou aspires to live up to her namesake. Her weapons are computers and keyboards rather than shields and swords but no less effective in her fight: protecting data privacy.

Pramod Khargonekar named to AAU task force to expand U.S.-India partnerships

UCI Vice Chancellor for Research Pramod Khargonekar has been appointed to a new Association of American Universities task force to study expanding research and higher education partnerships between the U.S. and India.

Industry Networking Night connects students with potential employers

Thirty-two local and regional medical technology companies turned out for the Department of Biomedical Engineering’s Industry Networking Night on March 2, 2023, at the Division of Continuing Education auditorium and courtyard. More than 120 students attended, dressed in their best, to speak with company representatives, some of whom were BME alumni.

Seventeen senior design projects win Dean’s Choice Awards

The Samueli School of Engineering 2023 Annual Design Review was held from 1 to 4 p.m. on March 17, St. Patrick’s Day, at Beall Applied Innovation’s the Cove. A new location for the event, the Cove offered free parking for visitors and enough space to host all 188 senior design project teams.

Excellence in engineering education endowment established in honor of Dunn-Rankin

Derek Dunn-Rankin, affectionately known as DDR by students, recently retired after 35 years on the UCI faculty. Since the late 80s, the (now emeritus) professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering has conducted research and taught undergraduate and graduate courses on fluid dynamics, combustion, thermodynamics and laser diagnostics. He has mentored 35 doctoral students, 70 master’s students and dozens more senior scholar researchers and visiting researchers. He developed and taught the mechanical engineering design/senior project course for 20 years, and he has served as the MAE department chair twice.

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