Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering

Imagine a cluster of drones swarming above a dense thicket of trees, eyeing its way through unfamiliar topography to locate a missing person amid unpredictable weather.   Each drone has its own complex communication and computing capabilities. But as that weather starts to sour against the clock, the rescue mission requires group optimization, not a single […]

With a black cloth draped over months of work, anticipation built earlier this month as the University of Florida’s Solar Gators prepared to reveal the next evolution of their solar-powered race car.  When the cover finally dropped, applause and possibility filled the room as Flare — sleeker, larger and reengineered — marked the team’s latest […]

As a boy in India, Anil Rajvanshi often found himself at the train station intently observing locomotives and dreaming.  “I just would stand in front of this huge steam engine and be mesmerized,” recalled Rajvanshi, Ph.D. “I thought that the best thing in the world would be an engine driver. And then I found this […]

Many of us remember a mentor whose influence stayed with us long after the lessons ended. Someone whose guidance continues to shape how we think, work and lead. For many doctoral students in the department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of Florida, SA Sherif, Ph.D., has been that steady voice throughout their […]

Chuck Jackson has dedicated his career at GE Aerospace to advancing technological programs in the commercial aviation industry. Jackson graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 1995. Soon after Chuck continued his schooling at the University of Cincinnati where he received his master’s degree and then went on […]

Ghatu Subhash, Ph.D., was selected for fellowship at the prestigious Society of Engineering Science (SES). This society sets itself apart because of its acute focus on engineering theory rather than practical applications. Small but mighty, SES boasts members from the National Academy of Science (NAS) and of Engineering (NES) as well as top researchers from […]

Florida Rocket Lab, a student team at the University of Florida Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering has successfully designed, built and hotfired “Sparrow,” a proven 550 lbf bipropellant rocket engine. The result marks a historic milestone for the university, as it completed a series of full-duration hotfires with zero failures, the first in UF […]

Dr. Yong Huang is a professor in the departments of mechanical and aerospace engineering, biomedical engineering, materials science and engineering, chemical engineering, and electrical and computer Engineering at the University of Florida. A passionate researcher and mentor, Huang focuses on advanced manufacturing, particularly how materials behave during processing and how innova…

Faculty members John Conklin and Peter Wass in the University of Florida’s Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering have been recognized with a NASA Group Achievement Award for their contributions to the **Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) mission Study Team. The award, issued in July 2025, recognizes the team “for exceptional performance and success in […]

Chase Hartquist, Ph.D., was presented with the Haythornthwaite Foundation Research Initiation Grant by the Applied Mechanics Division of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). This award is for early-career faculty that engage in theoretical and applied mechanics research; recipients are expected to present their progress on their proposed project by the next year. Hartquist [&#8230…

As we start the new calendar year and welcome the energy of the spring semester, I’m excited to share the remarkable accomplishments, innovations, and milestones from across UF MAE. Our department continues to thrive with the creativity, dedication, and collaboration of our faculty, staff, and students. Completing our hiring cycle from last year, we’re thrilled to fully welcome&#16…

Malisa Sarntinoranont, Ph.D., Professor, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in the College, is a leading force in interdisciplinary engineering, integrating mechanical and biomedical research at the Soft Tissue Mechanics and Drug Delivery Laboratory. The Sarntinoranont group is developing exciting research tools for soft tissue mechanics associated with tumors and drug delivery in the body. Thei…

Gator Nation, you stood up and boy did you holler! Giving Day 2026 was incredible and it’s all thanks to you. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, MAE received 162 donations and led the College of Engineering in total dollars raised. Every gift, large and small, helps fuel student success, groundbreaking research, and […]