Curricula Vitae in Mechanical Engineering

Name	Personal Focus	Summary
Ahmed Alshareef Assistant Professor	biological tissue, deformation and mechanics, biomechanics, simulations of injury and disease	Ahmed A. Alshareef is an Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering and Computing.
Dr. Sourav Banerjee Professor	Ultrasonic Wave Propagation, Multi-scale Acoustics, Multi-scale Material Assessment (Bio and Engineering Materials), Health Monitoring and Metamaterials	Dr. Banerjee's expertise includes: Quantitative multi-scale ultrasonic assessment of biological and engineering materials, Hybrid microcontinuum approach for multi-scale material assessment and Predictive simulation of wave propagation. His techniques QUIC and QACT can be applied to many diverse fields including biomedical sciences, novel design of metamaterials and health monitoring of structures.
Dr. Jingjing Bao Research Assistant Professor
Dr. Darun Barazanchy Research Assistant Professor		Darun’s main research focus is on aerospace structures and computational mechanics, this includes structural optimization, fiber steering and structural health monitoring.
Dr. Abdel Bayoumi Professor	Health Monitoring Systems, Design and Manufacturing,, MEMS/NEMS/Mechatronics	Dr. Bayoumi has been actively involved in developing strong programs in mechanical, nuclear and biomedical engineering. His research activities have been focused in mechanical behavior of materials, manufacturing, design, diagnosis and prognosis of mechanical systems, and Health monitoring Systems.
Professor Theodore Martin Besmann Professor	thermochemical analysis, high temperature materials, nuclear fuels and wastes	Dr. Besmann's research interests are related to thermochemical experiments and modeling for high temperature materials including nuclear fuel development and in-reactor behavior, development of advanced nuclear waste forms, hydrogen storage materials, and fossil energy materials. This includes measurements of basic thermal properties, development of databases for use in performance codes, and coupling of thermochemical models with other properties within codes.
Dr. Fanglin Chen Professor	Electro-Ceramics Materials Synthesis and Characterization, Materials for Energy Conversion and Storage, Solid State Electrochemistry	Dr. Chen's research and interests include synthesis and characterization of materials for energy conversion and storage, materials composition, microstructure and property relationship, electroceramics and solid state ionic devices, electrochemical performance evaluation, materials and designs for solid oxide fuel cells.
Wout De Backer Assistant Professor	continuous fiber thermoplastic additive manufacturing (FFF, 3D printing), structural design of thermoplastic composites, aircraft design	Dr. Wout De Backer is a researcher assistant professor at the University of South Carolina. During his post-doctoral research, he was Program Manager for the Robotic Additive Manufacturing team at the McNAIR Center for Aerospace Innovation and Research. Dr. De Backer is a peer reviewer for the Computer Aided Design and Applications Journal (CAD&A) and currently has several pending patents.
Xiaomin Deng Professor	Modeling and simulation of mechanical behavior of engineering materials and structures, modeling and simulation of manufacturing processes	Dr. Deng's research and interests include nanomechanics/atomistic simulation; fracture mechanics/crack-growth simulation; manufacturing process modeling/simulation (friction stir welding, metal cutting, GMA welding).
Austin Downey Associate Professor	Online low-latency machine learning that considers both training and inference, Real-time decision-making and control for structures operating in extreme dynamic environments, In situ monitoring and online validation of additively manufactured components	Dr. Downey's expertise and research interest include low-latency machine learning, real-time model-updating, adaptive structures, and structural health monitoring.
Frederick Dryer Research Professor	chemistry/chemical kinetics of fuels and hazardous waste materials related to ignition, combustion, petroleum-derived fuels, including gasoline, diesel,gas turbine,heavy fuel oil combustion properties, non-petroleum-derived alternative fuels, their production, their chemical kinetic properties	Dr. Dryer has over 45 years of applications-driven fundamental research experience in thermal sciences (heat transfer, fluid dynamics, physical chemistry, and chemical kinetics) relevant to space and air-breathing propulsion, fossil and renewable energy conversion related to ground transportation and stationary power generation, combustion-related pollutant mitigation, and fire safety.
Ruixian Fang Research Associate Professor		Dr. Fang's research and interests are in the areas of: Thermal-hydraulic safety analysis of advanced small modular reactor Predictive modeling, sensitivity/uncertainty method for critical/subcritical nuclear systems Heat transfer and fluid flow with phase changes Applied Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) Thermal management of power electronics Micro-channels and synthetic jets System-level thermal modeling and simulation
Dr. Tanvir Iqbal Farouk Professor		Dr. Farouk's expertise is in the general area of Reacting Thermal Fluid Sciences involving plasma, combustion multiphase reacting flow, chemical-kinetics-turbulence interaction and energy systems. His research interests are in multi-scale, multi-physics computational model development for studying complex phenomena e.g. plasma discharge, micro-nano scale systems.
Dr. Victor Giurgiutiu Professor	Structural Health Monitoring, Active Materials, Smart Structures, Mechatronics	Dr. Giurgiutiu's research interests span active materials, smart structures, structural health monitoring, mechatronics, and other multi-physics applied mechanics topics.
Mr. Odell Lendor Glenn, Jr. Instructor	Fundamental Aspects of a Novel Technology for Abatement of Allergenic Proteins	Odell Glenn Jr.'s present passion is S.T.E.M education along with engineering education research. Investigating new and unique ways to teach undergraduates core fundamentals is key to both himself as an educator and to the student.
Dr. Joshua R Gray Instructor	application of electrochemical engineering to localized corrosion and sustainable energy application, materials compatibility and corrosion susceptibility of high temperature heat transfer fluids, development of alternative separations processes for used nuclear fuel	Experienced engineer with a diverse background ranging from educational instruction and mentoring roles, extensive experience in research and development environments, entrepreneurial start-ups and community-based non-profit social work. Educational roles range from experience as a teaching assistant in graduate school chemical engineering laboratories, serving as a mentor and thesis committee member as an adjunct professor while working in the national laboratory system.
Andrew Gross Assistant Professor	mechanical properties of materials, design, fabrication, and characterization of architected materials	Dr. Gross' research interests center on the mechanical properties of materials. This includes the design, fabrication, and characterization of architected materials, especially those with nanoscale constituents; as well as the use of full field experimental data for the calibration of material models.
Professor Zafer Gurdal Professor		Dr. Gurdal's research interests are in structural and multidisciplinary design and optimization, design and optimization of composite materials and structures, and computational methods for design with manufacturing emphasis. His research has largely been funded by NASA Langley Research Center and Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) in the US, and EU Research Frame work programs in Europe.
Dr. Hossein Haj-Hariri Dean	Mechanical Engineering	Haj-Hariri earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees from MIT. He joined the faculty at University of Virginia in 1988 and most recently served as professor and chair of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. He also served as a visiting faculty member at Arizona State University and Stanford University.
Dr. Ramy Harik Professor	Computer Aided Design, Computer Aided Manufacturing, Fiber Placement	Dr. Harik’s research interest include automated tool path planning for fiber placement, automation of process planning for aircraft structural parts, mechanical feature shape recognition based on persistent heat signature, 5-axis flank milling optimization and obtaining an optimal part build orientation efficiently in additive manufacturing.
Dr. Ming Hu Professor	Energy Transport and Engergy Systems, Energy Conversion and Thermal Management, Energy Materials	My research interests focus on modeling and simulation of micro-/nano-scale thermal transport in novel energy systems, in particular low-dimensional materials and nanostructures, and energy nanotechnology, interfacial heat transfer for advanced thermal management, and multi-scale and multiphysics modeling of complex energy transport process.
Dr. Kevin Huang Professor	solid oxide fuel cell, rechargeable battery, gas separation	Fundamental studies of electrochemical phenomena in energy-related devices including high-temperature fuel cells and electrolysis, energy storage rechargeable batteries, CO2 and H2 separation membranes and reactors; Atmospheric plasma spray thin film deposition; Fabrication of electrochemical devices
Dr. Xinyu Huang Associate Professor	Mechanics and Durability of Functional and Structural Composite Materials	My research interests include mechanics and durability of functional and structural composite materials, in particular, composite materials in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells, solid oxide fuel cells, structural composites, and coatings
Dr. Jamil Khan Department Chair/Professor	Heat transfer during manufacturing processes, heat transfer and fluid flow with phase change (Solidification/Melting in Casting, Welding), computational and experimental fluid dynamics related to contaminants transport in rooms	Dr. Jamil Khan is Professor and Chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering. His recent research has been involved with the Ship System Thermal Management (SSTM) initiative. He has previously conducted research in thermal management issued related to high band gap devices fabricated with Gallium Nitride, and developed dynamic thermo-chemical models of tubular Solid Oxide Fuel Cell for hybrid power generating systems.
Dr. Travis W. Knight Department Chair/Professor	advanced nuclear fuels, nuclear power, modeling and simulation	Dr. Knight's research and interests are in the areas of advanced nuclear fuels and materials, reactor safety, nuclear safeguards, nuclear fuel cycle, Alternative uses of nuclear power including synthetic fuels and hydrogen production, space nuclear power and propulsion. Dr. Knight is the Director of the Nuclear Engineering Program
Dongkyu Lee Assistant Professor	Developing new oxide nanostructures for advanced solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), Developing higher order Ruddlesden-Popper (RP) thin films for solar-thermoelectric devices	Dr. Lee's research interests lie at the intersection of synthesizing functional oxide materials by atomic control, understanding energy conversion and storage mechanisms as well as the physicochemical properties of materials, and applying a fundamental understanding to design advanced energy conversion and storage devices including solid oxide fuel cells, solid-state batteries, solar thermoelectric generators, and solar to fuel energy conversion devices.
Dr. Chen Li Professor	Solar cell technology, nanofabrication technology with applications on transport efficiency, micro/nano heat and mass transport phenomena	Dr. Li is involved in the development and fabrication of functionalized structures/films at micro/nanoscale; The novel applications of these micro/nano structures in renewable energy harvest and storage, enhancement and manipulation of thermal energy and mass transport at micro/nano-scale, and thermal management for high heat flux equipments/systems
Yue (Stanley) Ling Associate Professor	perform large-scale simulations to investigate the complex physics involved in multiphase flows	Dr. Stanley Ling's research is focused on high-fidelity modeling and simulation of a wide variety of multiphase flows and heat transfer, including atomization and sprays, particle-laden flows, compressible two-phase flows, microfluidics, among many others.
Jed Lyons Associate Dean	Material Deformation and Failure Mechanisms, Faculty Development, Engineering Education	Dr. Lyons' research and interests include engineering education, human resource development, composites and reinforced plastics.
Dr. Mostafa Mobli Instructor	developing numerical methods & applying prev methods to analyze fluid & heat transfer applications, continuous methods to simulate phase change on a micro/nano scale used in various cooling industries, thermal analysis of glow discharge-importance of accurate temp analysis in glow discharge simulation	Interested in numerical solutions to problems involving reactive flows and heat transfer. Focused on developing new numerical methods and applying previously developed methods to analyze a wide range of fluid flow and heat transfer applications. Specially focused on continuous methods to simulate phase change on a micro/nano scale used in various cooling industries, and thermal analysis of glow discharge to show importance of an accurate temperature analysis in glow discharge simulations.
Dr. Anthony P. Reynolds Professor	Friction stir welding and processing. , Mechanical Properties, Manufacturing Processes	PhD in materials science with emphasis on metallurgy of light alloys (aluminum, titanium, magnesium). Specific research areas include friction stir welding and processing as well as other friction based technologies. Also, significant experience/expertise in mechanical testing including fracture and fatigue and fractography.
Dr. Cyrus K Riahi-Nezhad, PhD Instructor	Separations enhanced by electric fields, High liquid flow in packed towers for optimal gas-liquid phase interaction, Synthesis and characterization of mesoporous heterogeneous catalysts	Dr. Riahi-Nezhad’s broad areas of specialization are based on innovative combinations of fluid mechanics, separation science, and heterogeneous catalysis.
Dr. David Neville Rocheleau Associate Professor	Product Development, Computer Aided Design, Intellectual Property	Dr. Rocheleau's group has interest in machine design and machine component design. His group has done work in optimizing the design of epicyclic gear trains to ensure long life and reduced noise. Work has also been done in helping small to medium size companies in a wide area of product design issues. The design concepts are modeled using Pro/ENGINEER design software and analyses are performed with a variety of computer-aided-engineering tools.
Dr. Alejandro David Rodriguez Research Assistant Professor
Dr. Andrew R Sabalowsky Instructor	fluid flow renewable energy technology (wave attenuation, micro wind turbines, solar chimneys), anaerobic processes, related to bioremediation of hazardous xenobiotic molecules, biofuel production (methane and hydrogen production, microbial fuel cells, and fermentable products)	Dr. Sabalowsky’s prior research expertise are in anaerobic processes, specifically as they relate to bioremediation of hazardous xenobiotic molecules and biofuel production, such has methane and hydrogen production, microbial fuel cells, and fermentable products. More recently, his interests are in renewable energy technology centered on fluid flow, such as wave attenuation, micro wind turbines, and solar chimneys.
Professor Anthony Michael Scopatz Assistant Professor	Essential physics modeling of the nuclear fuel cycle, Information theory & entropy, Predictive modeling	Dr. Scopatz’s research interests revolve around essential physics modeling of the nuclear fuel cycle, information theory & entropy, predictive modeling, and the broader realm of computational science. He is a fellow of the Python Software Foundation. Dr. Scopatz has published and spoken at numerous conferences on a variety of engineering, science, and software development topics.
Dr. Tarek Shazly Professor		The research in Dr. Shazly's lab is focused on defining and characterizing relevant tissue properties for clinical applications and rationally designing polymeric biomaterials that leverage local biology to enhance therapeutic gain. His specific interests include physiological mechanical testing of soft matter, mechanical modeling, multiphysics-based computational modeling, tissue-material adhesion and tissue scaffold engineering.
Dr. Subramani Sockalingam Associate Professor	multiscale finite element modeling and analysis, material characterization, constitutive model development	Dr. Sockalingam’s research interests include development of advanced composite materials that are light weight and stronger through a multiscale experimental and computational approach for aerospace, automotive and defense applications. His expertise are in multiscale finite element modeling and analysis, material characterization, constitutive model development, ballistic impact, design and development of body and vehicle armor, automotive crashworthiness and engineering consulting.
Dr. Nikolaos Vitzilaios Assistant Professor	Autonomous Unmanned Systems, Control Theory and Engineering	Dr. Vitzilaios’ research interests are in the broad area of Autonomous Unmanned Systems and include Robotics, Intelligent Systems, Mechatronics, Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), perception and autonomous navigation of mobile robots, operational autonomy, field robotics, robot teams, automation, control systems, and machine learning.
Dr. Guiren Wang Associate Professor	Lab-on-a-Chip devices for applications in life science and biomedical engineering, cancer, Fluid dynamics, Optical diagnostics	Dr. Wang's research and interests include micro/nanofluidics, lab-on-a-chip, super resolution imaging and STED nanoscopy, femtosecond laser based measurement, fluorescence spectroscopy, cancer, biomechanics, drug delivery, fluid mechanics, turbulence and mixing, optical measurement, bioreactor and tissue engineering.
Dr. Yi Wang Professor	Computational and data-enabled science and engineering, Multiphysics Modeling and Simulation, Large-scale and Real-time Data Analytics	Computational and data-enabled science and engineering (CDS&E) and its applications in multiphysics and multiscale systems engineering, including aerospace, microfluidics/nanofluidics, thermal and energy management, additive manufacturing, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), among others.
Sang Hee Won Professor	Combustion chemistry	Sang Hee Won is an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering for the College of Engineering and Computing at the University of South Carolina.
Dr. Xingjian Xue Associate Professor	Materials for Electrochemical Energy Conversion and Storage, Reliability and Durability of Functional and Structural Materials, Transport Phenomena and Electrochemical Kinetics	My research interests include fuel cells, electrolysis, materials, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, mathematical modeling, diagnosis of complicated material systems
Dr. Lingyu Lucy Yu, PhD Associate Dean	Developing a multi-scale damage detection approach on composite structures, developing imaging strategies for permanently installed SHM system to perform in-situ damage detecti, Exploiting advances made in other areas to introduce innovative methods into SHM/NDE	Dr. Lingyu Yu's research interests include structural health monitoring (SHM) and nondestructive evaluation (NDE) using ultrasonic guided waves supported by active sensor technology, theoretical modeling, advanced signal processing and data analysis; damage diagnosis in complicated structures; scanning laser vibrometry for guided wave propagation; and mechatronics.
Dr. Lang Yuan Associate Professor	Additive Manufacturing, Solidification, Modeling and Simulation	Dr. Yuan’s research focuses on fundamental understanding of microstructure and defects formation during alloy solidification for Additive Manufacturing, casting and remelting technologies. His research interests also include Integrated Computational Materials Engineering, process innovation and optimization for Additive Manufacturing and data sciences.
Dr. Caizhi Zhou Associate Professor		Dr. Zhou's research focuses on understand the fundamental strengthening, deformation and failure mechanisms of advanced structural materials, by integrating both experimental and computational approaches, and provide a scientific basis for design and processing advanced materials with superior properties.