ENG - Fall 2024 Magazine

Samuel Ginn College of Engineering

AUBURN ENGINEER

While plenty of Auburn University alumni have served in the U.S. military, Maj. Gen. James E. Livingston, ’62 civil engineering, is the only one to be awarded the country’s highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor. Livingston was honored this fall as the Gameday Hero on Pat Dye Field during an Auburn football game for his service and bravery. Read more about this recent State of Alabama Engineering Hall of Fame inductee by scanning the QR code.

8 / Record-breaking research

College secures $117.7M in new awards and contracts for FY24

58 / Be the Creed Recruitment, Outreach and Scholarships director embodies the Auburn Creed

42 / Timm time

Mechanical engineering senior took over as mic-man for Auburn Athletics this fall

76 / The award goes to...

Alumni recognized by college and university for distinguished careers and service

30 / Hands on

The Design and Manufacturing Laboratory — now part of the Montgomery Advanced Manufacturing Laboratories — has served as the anchor of the manufacturing laboratories in the basement of Wiggins Hall. Thanks to the Montgomery Family Foundation, it's much more advanced and serving students like never before.

36 / Engineering global

From Europe to Asia, and everywhere in between, Auburn Engineering partners with universities across the globe to provide students with the best study abroad programs in the nation.

48 / Molding the future

Armed with a $1.7 million award from the U.S. Department of Defense, the college’s Interdisciplinary Center for Advanced Manufacturing Systems plans to visit more than 28,000 sixth-grade students in Alabama throughout the next two years with the revival of the Bird Inc. program.

Thanks to a generous gift from the Montgomery Family Foundation, the Design and Manufacturing Laboratory has been completely renovated and outfitted with the latest technologies as part of the newly named Montgomery Advanced Manufacturing Laboratories

Dean

Editor & Director, Communications and Marketing

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Look for the MIC icon to identify our guests and visit eng.auburn.edu/ginning to listen to each episode.

THE MARINE / Episode 286

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From the Dean

It’s a great time to be an Auburn engineer!

The Samuel Ginn College of Engineering had a record-breaking year, eclipsing 6,700 students, securing $117.7 million in new research awards and contracts, awarding nearly $6 million in scholarships and much more.

Our undergraduate students are consistently recognized across the nation — and the globe — for their academic achievements, while our graduate student body continues to grow, produce impactful research that changes lives for the better and drives innovation and entrepreneurship.

Since 2018, our new research awards and contracts have grown more than 300% in FY24. Our faculty is relentless in pursuing opportunities for the advancement of science, submitting 544 proposals this year requesting $458 million in research funding.

To support these students, faculty and staff, our alumni and friends have continued to show their steadfast dedication to this place we all love and believe in. Our fundraising efforts once again surpassed expectations, bringing in more than $36 million to assist the college in its mission to provide the best student-centered engineering experience in America.

We are beyond grateful and humbled by the support of the thousands of Auburn engineers who donate their time, talent and treasure each year to ensure the next generation is afforded that truly unique Auburn experience.

One such alumnus, Jeff Hills, ’93 civil engineering, made a $10 million pledge that will provide more than 300 scholarships to Auburn Engineering students during the next 20 years, making it the largest single commitment to scholarships in Auburn University history. The Jeffery S. Hills Scholarship will provide financial assistance to firstgeneration students from the state of Alabama who are in financial need. The program will provide students with a scholarship covering tuition, fees, room and board for their first two years and then half of all costs for the remaining years in hopes that students will have secured co-ops or internships in their junior and senior years.

As Auburn men’s basketball head coach Bruce Pearl says, that’s just “Auburn being Auburn.”

Similarly, close friends Larry and Mary Montgomery believe in Auburn so much that the Montgomery Family Foundation has made a significant investment in the college that allowed us to completely renovate the Design and Manufacturing Laboratory and surrounding spaces and equip it with the latest and greatest technologies. As you’ll read in this magazine, the new Montgomery Advanced Manufacturing Laboratories will give our students the hands-on learning experiences they need for the future.

Indeed, it’s a great time to be an Auburn engineer, and I am eager to see what 2025 will hold.

War Eagle!

Mario R. Eden

Auburn Engineering sets research and contract award record with $117.7M in FY24

Auburn University’s Samuel Ginn College of Engineering set a college record for new research awards and contracts for a fiscal year, closing FY24 with $117 7 million

The amount is also a record for any college in Auburn University’s history

Auburn Engineering has increased its annual new research awards and contracts by more than 300% since 2018, when the college brought in $29 million

The college also set a record with engineering faculty members submitting 544 proposals requesting $458 million in research funding

“In recent years, the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering has generated record-breaking levels of funding in new research awards and contracts, alumni support and student enrollment,” said Mario Eden, dean of engineering “Our vision is to provide research that improves quality of life and fosters economic competitiveness, and that’s exactly what our dynamic faculty and students are doing as part of one of the elite public engineering institutions in the nation ”

In 2017, the college began a strategic hiring initiative that resulted in an increase of nearly 50 faculty members In turn, this has increased the number of research proposals and funding amounts for each request

“Our faculty members are not only setting a standard in the classroom, they are also doing so as part of the university’s research enterprise,” said Allan David, the college’s associate dean for research “Whether it’s related to transportation, health, advanced and additive manufacturing, cybersecurity or the environment, our faculty members are conducting cutting-edge research that is improving the quality of life, driving our economy and making us safer both here at home and across the globe ”

Funding for several high-profile research areas included:

• Transportation and Resilient Infrastructure — $32,457,000

• Advanced and Additive Manufacturing — $18,340,000

• Applied Research — $15,061,000

• Cybersecurity and Intelligent Systems — $11,100,000

• Biomedical and Health Systems Engineering — $6,900,000

• Advanced Communications and Electronics — $9,081,000

Several impactful awards and contracts included:

$50,000,000 ($22,000,000 awarded in FY24) / U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development

Command Aviation & Missile Center

“Lightweight, Advanced Manufacturing of Metallic, Polymer and Composite Structures for Aviation and Missile Weapon Systems”

$10,000,000 / Department of Energy

“Model Regional Operations Center to Enhance Cyber Security of U S Electricity Sector”

Frank Cilluffo and James Goosby (McCrary Institute for Cyber and Critical Infrastructure Security)

$6,552,227 / Federal Transit Administration

“Low and No Emission-Component Assessment”

Christian Brodbeck (engineering administration) and Mark Hoffman (mechanical engineering)

$3,255,444 / State of Kansas

“Additive Manufacturing Material and Process Rapid Qualification for Vehicle Applications”

Nima Shamsaei and Shuai Shao (mechanical engineering)

$3,012,027 / U.S. Air Force

“Novel Timber Structures for Air Force Expeditionary Environments”

Jim Davidson, J Brian Anderson, David Roueche and Kadir Sener (civil and environmental engineering)

$1,250,000 / National Asphalt Pavement Association

“Synthesis of State of Practice and Research Needs for Airfield Asphalt Pavement Resilience”

Ben Bowers (civil and environmental engineering)

$1,099,000 / Trideum Corp.

“Missions based multi-domain operations test environment”

Steve Mills (Applied Research Institute) and Hunter Burch (electrical and computer engineering)

David named associate dean for research

Allan David has been named associate dean for research for the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering

David, the John W Brown professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering, assumed the position effective June 1 He served as acting associate dean for research when former dean Chris Roberts moved on to become Auburn’s 21st president and thenassociate dean for research, Steve Taylor, became interim dean of the college

“Dr David has done a tremendous job during the past two years in his role as acting dean of research for the college, and I am thrilled to continue working with him in this permanent role moving forward,” said Mario Eden, dean of engineering

As associate dean for research, David will assist with the college’s strategic planning, budget development, facilities oversight and administration In collaboration with the dean, David will promote a vibrant research culture by working with department chairs, institute directors and center directors to improve each of their teams’ contribution to the mission of research and scholarship He will also provide leadership to ensure that processes function effectively for submission of proposals to external sponsors while mentoring, assisting and reviewing proposal development and assisting with technology commercialization activities�

Timm named chair of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

David Timm has been named the chair of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Timm, whose term began July 1, has been a civil and environmental engineering faculty member since 2001, when he joined the department as an assistant professor Since then, he has held the department’s Brasfield & Gorrie Professor and associate chair of civil and environmental engineering positions

“There is a lot to be excited about in civil and environmental engineering at Auburn University,” Timm said “Our department has experienced unprecedented growth and success over the past 10-plus years under Dr Andy Nowak’s leadership, and we’re well-positioned to continue moving forward I’m honored and humbled to be the next chair to serve our outstanding students, faculty, staff and alumni ”

Timm succeeds Nowak, who returned to the department in the role of Brasfield & Gorrie Professor Timm also assumed the title of the Elton and Lois G Huff Eminent Scholar Chair

Hendrix named associate dean for undergraduate studies and program assessment

Dean Hendrix has been named associate dean for undergraduate studies and program assessment for the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering

Hendrix, who served as an associate professor and associate department chair of computer science and software engineering, assumed the position effective Aug 1 Hendrix also served as the department’s director of undergraduate programs and as the director of the college’s Engineering Global Programs

“Dr Hendrix brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, and he has demonstrated excellent leadership and great passion for supporting undergraduate students and continuous improvement in our academic programs,” said Mario Eden, dean of engineering

As associate dean for undergraduate studies and program assessment, Hendrix leads the formulation of academic policies and procedures; transmission of curricular material through the approval process; adjudication and approval of course substitution and exceptions to university academic/student affairs policies; and serves on the university’s Academic Affairs Committee and other university committees related to undergraduate education

Allan David

Dean Hendrix

David Timm

McClain named director of Auburn’s Center for Inspiring Engineering Excellence

Tamara McClain has been named the new director of Auburn University’s Center for Inspiring Engineering Excellence (CI2E) Her appointment was effective May 6

“We’re excited to welcome Dr McClain to the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering Her wealth of experience in student academic support will be a valuable asset in leading our Center for Inspiring Engineering Excellence,” said Mario Eden, dean of engineering�

McClain oversees a program that plays a vital role in serving the underrepresented population among the Auburn Engineering student body CI2E serves to recruit, retain and reward students within all engineering disciplines through graduation Serving more than 200 students annually, CI2E offers academic and professional development opportunities, mentorship and peer learning as well as collaborative study groups, workshops, programs for career readiness and financial awards

“I am thrilled to join the Auburn Family and assist with empowering engineering students to reach new heights,” McClain said “It will be an honor to contribute to their journey of self-discovery and professional growth I am eager to make a positive impact on their futures and help shape tomorrow’s leaders in engineering ”

Wilson named senior director of engineering development

Jon Wilson has been named senior director of development for the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering

Wilson, who previously served as senior director of athletics development for Auburn, began his new appointment in engineering July 1 In his new role, Wilson is responsible for leading the college’s development and fundraising efforts, including managing, mentoring and coaching development officers and coordinators; implementing strategic stewardship and engagement plans; and working with the dean to ensure the college’s development and fundraising goals are met Wilson will also serve as a major gift fundraiser

“We are thrilled to have Jon in the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering, now serving as senior director of development,” said Mario Eden, dean of engineering “Through his years in the college and, most recently, with Auburn Athletics, Jon has built great relationships with our alumni and understands the importance of maintaining those bonds ”

Biosystems engineering students design alginatebased granola wrappers

Four Auburn biosystems engineering doctoral students — Rachel Day, Noor Fatima, Raziyeh Jokar and Vivian Usha — won second place in the Bioprocessing Startup Competition at the recent American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers annual meeting for their alginatebased food-safe wrappers

With the idea of increasing sustainability, the four designed an alternative wrapping for food to replicate traditional unrecyclable aluminum-based films

Day said algae, known for its biocompatibility, low toxicity and

low cost, is one of the most popular wrapper replicas

The alginate film will surround the aluminum and wash off in water, making the wrapper recyclable The algae is made into a solution that will go through film casting and dry overnight by removing the salt and dissolving it The algae film would be printed onto food wrapping instead of the typical metalized film

Tamara McClain

Jon Wilson

From left: Raziyeh Jokar, Rachel Day, Vivian Usha and Noor Fatima

Four Auburn Engineering faculty members named Ginn Faculty Achievement Fellows

Four Auburn Engineering junior faculty — Sathya Aakur, assistant professor in computer science and software engineering; Brendon Allen, assistant professor in mechanical engineering; Davide Guzzetti, assistant professor in aerospace engineering; and Tin Nguyen, associate professor in computer science and software engineering — were named Ginn Faculty Achievement Fellows, effective Aug 16

The Ginn Faculty Achievement Fellowship recognizes and rewards junior faculty in the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering who receive prestigious young investigator awards, including the National Science Foundation CAREER, Department of Defense, Department of Energy or National Institutes of Health

“Early career achievements in research are crucial as they lay the foundation for a lifetime of scholarly contributions and advancements,” said Mario Eden, dean of engineering “By acknowledging and celebrating these accomplishments, we are fostering a culture of excellence, encouraging our faculty to push the boundaries of knowledge and make positive impacts on industry and society ”

to

Auburn Engineering graduate

programs

ranked No. 31 among public institutions by U.S. News & World Report

The Samuel Ginn College of Engineering was again recognized as a leader in higher education, ranking among the nation’s top public institutions in U S News & World Report’s 2024 Best Graduate Schools

U S News & World Report, which ranks graduate programs nationally each spring, designated the college No 31 among public institutions when its annual list was released in June Auburn Engineering’s graduate programs continued its upward trajectory among public institutions, climbing 10 spots in the past five years

“Continued recognition by our peers in the academic community is a

Auburn Engineering students recognized as graduate research fellows

Six Auburn Engineering students were named National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellows for 2024

Students recognized were Katie Wolfe, who graduated with bachelor’s degrees in electrical engineering and theatrical design; Marisa Kelley, senior in materials engineering; Dylan Bowen, a second-year doctoral student in chemical engineering; Ryan Pollard, mechanical engineering graduate student; Robin Weaver, who graduated with an aerospace engineering degree; and Maggie Nelson, who graduated with an aerospace engineering degree

According to the NSF, the Graduate Research Fellowship Program is “designed to help ensure the quality,

testament to the premier graduate engineering experience we offer at Auburn University,” said Maria Auad, associate dean for graduate studies and faculty development “Each year, we invest significant resources and energy into hiring renowned faculty, developing exceptional studentsupport programs, building unrivaled facilities for cutting-edge research and providing new opportunities for experiential learning ”

Auburn Engineering’s graduate programs also ranked fourth among the 13 public institutions in the Southeastern Conference and — again — No 1 in the state

vitality and diversity of the nation’s scientific and engineering workforce

A goal of the program is to broaden participation of the full spectrum of diverse talents in science, technology, engineering and mathematics ”

The fellowship, awarded to students who are either enrolled or intend to enroll in research-based graduate programs, provides three years of financial support

From left: Sathya Aakur, Brendon Allen, Davide Guzzetti and Tin Nguyen

From left: Katie Wolfe, Marisa Kelley, Dylan Bowen, Ryan Pollard, Robin Weaver and Maggie Nelson

Listen

the #GINNING podcasts with Katie Wolfe, Marisa Kelley, Ryan Pollard and Maggie Nelson at eng.auburn.edu/ginning

Auburn establishes Electronics Packaging Research Institute

Auburn University’s seminal work on semiconductor packaging has new packaging of its own — the Auburn University Electronics Packaging Research Institute (EPRI)

The institute’s recent establishment marks a significant new emphasis on the semiconductor packaging research conducted through Auburn’s Center of Advanced Vehicle and Extreme Environment Electronics, or CAVE3, which was founded in 1999 through funding from the National Science Foundation and support from select companies focusing primarily on automotive electronics

Pradeep Lall, the John and Anne MacFarlane Endowed Distinguished Professor and Alumni Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, has directed the center since 2008 He will continue to serve as director of EPRI

“Our need for domestic capability in manufacturing, research and development for semiconductor packaging has really entered the national conversation recently with the recent establishment of the National Advanced Packaging Manufacturing Program under the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors — or CHIPS — Act,” Lall said

Auburn student-athletes win SEC start up business idea pitch competition

Four Auburn University graduate students took home top honors at the inaugural Southeastern Conference (SEC) Start Up Student-Athlete Pitch Competition this past July

David Hollinger, a doctoral student in Auburn University’s Biomechanical Engineering Lab, along with mechanical engineering master’s student David Edmondson and MBA student Allison Tanner, both former Auburn track and field athletes, make up Digital Athlete, which strives to harness the power of data-driven biomechanics to benefit athletes

Developed with guidance offered through Auburn University’s New Venture Accelerator, The Digital Athlete is a smartphone app utilizing artificial intelligence to provide quick, affordable and accessible human motion analysis

Though the technology currently focuses on running biomechanics, the team plans to expand the app to include personalized biomechanical recommendations applicable to the entire athletics spectrum

“Participating in the SEC Start Up was an incredible experience,” Hollinger said “I was blessed to have the opportunity to pitch a product that has been in my mind since I was a freshman in high school running track and cross country in Virginia ”

Doctoral student in civil and environmental engineering

earns DOE research award

Nora Lopez Rivera, a doctoral student in civil and environmental engineering, recently earned a U S Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science Graduate Student Research award

The award allows Lopez Rivera to work for a year in a national DOE laboratory to expand her research and network with other scientists

Rivera said she will research at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland, Washington

Her project titled “Microdiffraction Phase Mapping and In Situ Mineral Transformation Monitoring for Parametrizing Reactive Transport Models” focuses on developing a methodology with the micro XRD technique to acquire modeling data for basaltic rocks

“I specifically research geochemical reactivities between injected CO2 (carbon dioxide) and underground geological formations,” Lopez Rivera said “I do this by building reactive transport models using data from geological formations being considered for CO2 storage ”

Nora Lopez Rivera

From left: David Hollinger, Allison Tanner and David Edmondson

Auburn Engineering dean and chemical engineering professor named AIChE fellows

Mario Eden, dean of engineering and McMillan Chair, and Virginia Davis, the Dr Daniel F and Josephine Breeden Professor of chemical engineering, were recently elected American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) fellows — the organization’s highest membership grade

AIChE fellow candidates are nominated by their peers and must have significant chemical engineering experience, have demonstrated longterm excellence in the profession and have held senior membership in the society for at least three years

“We are immensely proud of Drs Eden and Davis,” said Selen Cremaschi, Department of Chemical Engineering chair “This prestigious recognition is a testament to their exceptional contributions to the field of chemical engineering, their dedication to advancing research and their unwavering commitment to educating the next generation of engineers Their achievements reflect the excellence and innovation that define our university, and we are fortunate to have such distinguished faculty members leading by example ”

Auburn Engineering presented with Innovation Award for Safety Culture

For its continued efforts to incorporate safety into research and education, Auburn Engineering earned the Campus Safety, Health and Environmental Management Association’s (CSHEMA) 2024 Innovation Award for “Safety Culture for a Large School

CSHEMA’s safety culture awards recognize institutional practices of faculty, staff and students that promote a culture of safety�

“Winning the CSHEMA Innovation Award and being a semifinalist in the Green Cross Award speaks volumes about Auburn Engineering’s unwavering commitment to safety,” said Emmanuel Winful, Auburn Engineering safety manager “These accolades highlight our college’s excellence in developing and implementing effective solutions to complex safety and health challenges within our research and teaching activities They affirm that our efforts in safety, health and environmental matters are not only noteworthy but also align with national standards of excellence ”

Engineering undergraduate program ranked No. 30 among public institutions

The Samuel Ginn College of Engineering was again recognized as a national leader in higher education, ranking among the nation’s top public institutions in U S News & World Report’s 2025 Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs

The online publication, which ranks undergraduate programs nationwide each fall, ranked Auburn Engineering No 30 among public institutions for a second consecutive year

“This ranking reflects the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering’s relentless pursuit of excellence as a leader in engineering education,” said Mario Eden, dean of engineering “We take pride in providing the best studentcentered experience in America, supported by a world-class faculty dedicated to fostering innovation and academic achievement We will continue to strive for greatness and prepare the next generation of engineers to tackle the world’s most pressing challenges ”

Auburn Engineering’s undergraduate programs also ranked fourth among the 13 public institutions in the Southeastern Conference and — again — No 1 in the state

Emmanuel Winful

From left: Mario Eden and Virginia Davis

Auburn Engineering’s additive manufacturing powers NASA’s Invention of the Year

Auburn’s work on the high-tech hardware that will take people to Mars has earned some impressive hardware of its own

Researchers in Auburn University’s National Center for Additive Manufacturing Excellence (NCAME) continue to play a critical role in the Rapid Analysis and Manufacturing Propulsion Technology (RAMPT) project, specifically the project’s resulting Thrust Chamber Liner and Fabrication Method technology, which, in July, was named NASA’s 2024 Invention of the Year

“This is another in a long list of big achievements for the RAMPT team,” said John Vickers, NASA’s principal technologist for additive manufacturing for RAMPT “Along with industry partners and with support from NASA’s Game Changing Development Program, Auburn has helped create transformative manufacturing technology that will impact the nation’s space economy ”

Assistant mechanical engineering professor earns NSF CAREER Award

The National Science Foundation recently tapped Brendon Allen, assistant mechanical engineering professor, for a five-year $588,408 CAREER Award aimed at increasing access to rehabilitation for individuals with movement disorders through a deep learning control framework for home-based hybrid exoskeletons

“These devices combine functional electrical stimulation with actuated robots to provide personalized therapy,” Allen said “Shifting the computational demand from individual homes to clinicians’ offices can, I believe, reduce the cost of telerehabilitation significantly ”

He also believes it can drastically decrease destabilization complications caused by communication delays between the clinician’s computer and the exoskeleton

How? By utilizing novel delay compensation and deep neural network based methods to enable the remote control of the exoskeleton

“Successful completion of this project could transform the rehabilitation industry,” Allen said�

McCrary Institute appoints two senior defense and policy executives

Auburn University’s McCrary Institute for Cyber and Critical Infrastructure Security strengthened its position as a leader among cybersecurity research and policy circles with the appointment of two veteran defense and policy executives

Craig M Whittinghill, a U S Navy veteran of 29 years, was named deputy director for applied research and services Kyle D Klein, who served on Capitol Hill in various senior policy roles for 12 years, was named deputy director for policy and partnerships

“We are thrilled to add these two executives to our senior leadership,” said Frank Cilluffo, McCrary Institute director “Craig will lead a growing team of cyber experts as we expand cybersecurity services in support of government and industry His deep experience and leadership on cyber and intelligence matters will be invaluable as we advance our efforts to better support the national security community Kyle’s leadership as a former staff director of the United States House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security adds significant policy and legislative expertise as we further position the McCrary Institute as a hub and thought leader on all things cyber ”

HAPPENINGS ONLINE

Brendon Allen

Mechanical engineering professor emeritus honored for groundbreaking NSF research aboard ISS

Even in retirement, mechanical engineering professor emeritus Sushil Bhavnani’s work with vapor bubbles is rising to the top

Bhavnani, who retired from the Department of Mechanical Engineering in July 2023 after 36 years of research and instruction in thermal management, heat transfer and phase-change cooling, received the prestigious International Space Station National Lab 2024 Compelling Results Award in Physical Sciences and Material Development

He was awarded at the International Space Station Research and Development Conference held July 30 through Aug 1 in Boston

Bhavnani was selected based on the results obtained during a National Science Foundation- funded investigation, “Thermally Activated Directional Mobility of Vapor Bubbles ”

Featuring a special surface that helps move heat away from electronics without the need for fans or other moving parts, the cooling system Bhavnani’s research team conceived was successfully tested aboard the ISS The results led to an improved fundamental understanding of vapor bubble dynamics that could provide more efficient and reliable electronics for use in space, air travel, phones and laptops

Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff tours Auburn Engineering research centers

The Navy’s “Old Salt” — a sobriquet reserved for its longest-serving surface warfare officer on active duty — recently got a taste of new research

Adm Christopher W Grady, who, as vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is the nation’s second highest-ranking military officer, toured prominent Auburn University engineering research centers in May�

“It’s an immense honor to have Adm Grady take the time to get an up-close look at the next-level research happening in the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering,” said Mario Eden, dean of engineering “We take great pride in our leading role in supporting the military’s mission through our advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity capabilities ”

Grady met with Auburn University President Christopher B Roberts to discuss Auburn’s collaboration with the Department of Defense, as well as the university’s multiple space industry partnerships, including the Auburn University Research and Innovation Campus’ new status as a base of technical support operations for the Space Development Agency in Huntsville

Listen to the #GINNING podcast with Sushil Bhavnani at eng.auburn.edu/ginning

NCAT’s triennial Test Track Conference attracts asphalt industry leaders

The National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT) hosted its triennial Test Track Conference May 7-9 at the Auburn University Hotel and Conference Center

The event presented advancements in the design, construction, materials, maintenance and sustainability of asphalt pavements to more than 300 industry professionals

Highlighting the latest findings from the eighth cycle of accelerated pavement testing conducted at NCAT’s Test Track, situated just 20 minutes east of Auburn University, the conference offered insights into the forefront of asphalt pavement research and development

Throughout the conference, attendees explored a myriad of topics, spanning from mixture additives to innovative pavement design methodologies

Research engineers from NCAT delivered presentations on recycling agents, innovative mix additives, crack prevention interlayer strategies, high polymer binders, cold recycling, pavement preservation treatments and more

From left: Mario Eden and Adm. Christopher W. Grady

Sushil Bhavnani (center)

CSSE faculty member to serve on Governor’s Advisory Council

Daniela Marghitu’s reputation as an advocate for computer science education has reached the Alabama governor’s office

Marghitu, director of Auburn University’s Laboratory for Education and Assistive Technology and faculty within the Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering, was appointed on June 6 to the Governor’s Advisory Council for Computer Science Education�

In this role, she will apply 27-plus years of experience to help form strategies and policies to develop a unified state vision for computer science education The goal: offer computer science education courses in each of Alabama’s 327 public high schools

“I am incredibly honored and touched to have the opportunity to work with this council and explore innovative avenues to expose schoolchildren in the state of Alabama to computer science,” said Marghitu, whose hallmark of service includes K-12 outreach and award-winning research and curricula that provide computer science education opportunities for the underserved� “I will use my knowledge as a college professor to recommend realistic solutions and create actions that quickly and successfully implement the governor’s dream I’ll be honest and open ”

Auburn Alumni Engineering Council inducts Class of 2029

The Auburn Alumni Engineering Council inducted seven new members during its annual spring meeting in April

Each council class is active for five years Those inducted into the Class of 2029 were:

• John Floyd, ’85 electrical engineering, director of demand-side management at Florida Power & Light

• James Goosby, ’00 electrical engineering, executive in residence at Auburn University’s McCrary Institute for Cyber and Critical Infrastructure Security

• Antoria Guerrier, ’00 electrical engineering, president and founder of The Arnold Group

Cyber Fire Puzzles provides real-life cyber scenarios, challenges for tomorrow’s cyber defenders

• Jeffrey Langhout, ’86 industrial engineering, retired director of the U S Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation & Missile Center and founder of Langhout Consulting

• Nelda Lee, ’67 aerospace engineering, retired from Boeing

• Joseph Pelfrey, ’00 aerospace engineering, director of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center

• Emily Traylor, ’10 wireless engineering, director of data and cybersecurity at Fullsteam

Cyber Fire Puzzles, a cybersecurity challenge by the U S Department of Energy and Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), brought nearly 60 students to Auburn’s Brown-Kopel Center on Aug 24-25 The event honed skills in tracking hackers and analyzing malicious programs through sequences and software clues

In its sixth iteration at Auburn, Cyber Fire Puzzles was hosted by the Auburn University Ethical Hacking Club, the Auburn Cyber Research Center, and the LANL/AU Cyber Security Sciences Institute�

Through a LANL-created website, students were tasked with solving problems within 13 puzzle categories based on complicated security topics, including number sequencing and patterns, with various difficulty levels

“This is a fun event, but it’s also competitive because when you’re doing this in the real world defending the systems we all rely on There is a very competitive element to it You’re going up against the adversary,” said Daniel Tauritz, associate professor in computer and software engineering “Also, this attracts a diverse group of students who either already aspire — or will become inspired — to enter the cyber field, and we need to grow our cyber-informed workforce Plus, this can serve as a great recruiting event for LANL ”

Daniela Marghitu

ECE associate professor leads $600K NSF research grant

Sensitive information stored on computational devices is often eradicated before hardware is discarded However, that doesn’t mean it isn’t accessible

A 2022 study, “Beware of Discarding Used SRAMs: Information is Stored Permanently,” demonstrated that data can be recovered from static random-access memory chips, potentially enabling adversaries to recover sensitive information� Building on this research, Ujjwal Guin, the Godbold Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, is exploring means that will identify unexpected vulnerabilities from used SRAM His colleague, Biswajit Ray from Colorado State University, will develop novel sanitization methods for permanently erasing these types of memories

Guin is principal investigator on the collaborative research proposal, “Exploring Security Risks Arising from SRAM Data Remanence and Evaluating Innovative Sanitization Techniques,” which earned a threeyear, $600,000 award for both universities from the National Science Foundation

Research emphasis will be placed on scenarios where attackers could exploit these vulnerabilities to gain access, manipulate sensitive data or launch other malicious activities

Pioneers of mobile revolution share lessons, experiences with Auburn Engineering students

Frank Canova, inventor of the first smart phone, Daniel A Henderson, inventor of photo/video messaging and Neil Papworth, who created and sent the first-ever text message, answered questions and shared experiences in a 60-minute discussion Sept 30 at the Brown-Kopel Center

“Every inventor thinks that they’re going to change to world,” said Henderson, whose 1993 picture and video messaging prototype, the Intellect, incorporated technology that is now ubiquitous in cell phones worldwide “In reality, the market, technology and society will determine what will make those changes In 100 years, none of us will be here The point why you’re innovating is to work hard and make things better when you’re not here ”

Henderson said it’s important to understand problems technology can immediately resolve, but “look beyond that curve

“Sometimes your solution is looking for a problem to resolve,” he said “Use that knowledge and bring it into what can be built today� Part of the problem and the discipline of inventions are the utilities that have the capacities to change even more ”

NASA selects engineering students to contribute to Artemis missions

A group of senior mechanical engineering students has been selected to participate in the Moon to Mars eXploration Systems and Habitation (M2M X-Hab) Academic Innovation Challenge, sponsored by NASA and the National Space Grant Foundation

The challenge tasks student teams with developing innovative solutions for Artemis mission challenges Auburn was one of only three universities selected, alongside the University of Michigan and the University of Maryland, due to its strong track record in space research and faculty expertise

The Auburn team, led by Kyle Schulze, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, will focus on developing advanced mobility solutions for astronauts navigating the challenging lunar and Martian terrains

“Dr Bob Ashurst, who directs the Makerspace, sent me some information about the challenge,”

Schulze said “When I saw one of the proposal topics on the project call — Crew Mobility Modalities Inside Moon/Mars Habitats — I just thought, ‘we should be putting our hats in this ring ’”

Inspired by the gecko’s ability to climb walls, the team will explore using “synthetic setae” or artificial gecko hands and feet to allow astronauts greater freedom of movement

Ujjwal Guin

From left: Daniel A. Henderson, Frank Canova and Neil Papworth

ECE associate professor earns NSF grant to miniaturize additive manufacturing technique

Masoud Mahjouri-Samani, the Godbold Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, intends to push the boundaries of laser-based, powder-bed fusion additive manufacturing to micro and nanoscale, one nanoparticle at a time

Mahjouri-Samani’s proposal, “Three-Dimensional Printing of Compositionally Tunable and Hybrid Microarchitectures by Laser Nanoparticle Powder-Bed Fusion,” recently earned a three-year, $475,000 grant from the National Science Foundation

“In conventional powder-bed additive manufacturing process, microscale particles — ranging from 20 to 50 microns in diameter — are laserfused layer-by-layer forming macro architectures and parts, typically

Chemical engineering

assistant professor named 2024 Young Innovator

Can young stem cells be separated from old stem cells?

Panagiotis Mistriotis, assistant professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering, believes so�

lacking functionality,” he said

“Imagine this … shrinking it down tens of thousands of times� We are developing non-equilibrium laser processes to generate, coat and fuse nanoparticles in situ and in real-time a few nanometers thick at a time, pulse-by-pulse and layer-bylayer We are creating the smallest powder bed additive manufacturing, or nanoparticle bed-fusion additive nanomanufacturing, process Now we can start integrating different materials and creating nano and microarchitectures with tunable compositions enabling functional devices,” he added

His three-year study, “Leveraging Cell Migration Dynamics to Discriminate between Senescent and Pre-senescent Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells,” not only demonstrates how but helped Mistriotis earn the honor of “2024 Young Innovator” by the scientific journal Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering

“The Department of Chemical Engineering carries a strong reputation for producing transformative bioengineering research for the healthcare industry that has the potential to produce improved patient outcomes Dr Mistriotis’ work plays a key role in this,” said Selen Cremaschi, who chairs the department “Dr Mistriotis has spent much of his career developing new tools to increase the potential of adult stem cells for cellular therapies Being recognized on the national stage is a testament to his perseverance and dedication to research ”

National cyber director discusses cybersecurity strategy plan

Transparent, accountable and evolving That’s how White House National Cyber Director Harry Coker Jr described the National Cybersecurity Strategy Implementation Plan at a special forum this past May in Washington, D C , hosted by Auburn University’s McCrary Institute for Cyber and Critical Infrastructure Security

Moderated by McCrary Institute Director Frank Cilluffo and McCrary Institute Senior Fellow Katherine Gronberg, Coker was joined in the live and online event by Nick Leiserson, White House assistant national cyber director for cyber policy and programs, Cheri Pascoe, director of the National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence at the National Institute of Standards and Technology and Valerie Cofield, chief strategy officer of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency

“It was a privilege to host Director Coker as he provided vital updates on our nation’s cybersecurity readiness through the lens of the National Cyber Security Implementation Plan,” Cilluffo said “While progress has been made, Director Coker underscored areas where we must continue improving our cyber defenses and resilience ”

Listen to the #GINNING podcast with Frank Cilluffo at eng.auburn.edu/ginning ↑

From left: graduate student Aarsh Patel and Masoud Mahjouri-Samani

Panagiotis Mistriotis

From left: Harry Coker Jr. and Frank Cilluffo

Chemical engineering assistant professor earns NSF grant

Cassandra Porter, assistant professor in chemical engineering, earned a three-year, $303,707 National Science Foundation grant for her proposal, “Polyamide Brush ActiveLayer Membranes for Fundamental Understanding of Structure-Function Relationships in Thin-Film Composite Reverse Osmosis Membranes ”

The object: develop a better understanding of reverse osmosis (RO) polyamide membranes and create a membrane that resists chlorine damage without minimizing performance

Porter will investigate the hypothesis that weak intermolecular interactions play key roles in the performance of polyamide RO membranes

“What we’re doing is not focusing on the entire process of desalinization

Grants boost Auburn’s prominence in polymer sustainability

Ed Davis, associate professor of mechanical engineering, is the principal investigator for two new awards — one from the National Science Foundation (NSF), the other from the National Institute of Standards and Technologies (NIST) — aimed at educating future polymer researchers as well as recycling industry professionals on the growing importance and evolving challenges of polymer recycling

His new NSF award, a $98,000 supplement to a 2021 $2 1 million multidisciplinary NSF Emerging Frontiers in Research and Innovation project funding research into novel ways for separating the materials used in typical multilayer plastic food

but getting new membranes in my laboratory to better desalinate contaminated water that the current reverse osmosis membranes cannot handle,” Porter said� “These contaminants include organics, compounds that infiltrate current commercial reverse osmosis membranes more easily ”

The effects of crosslinking, amide, benzyl and carboxyl density will be explored by producing a highly tailorable, novel polyamide membrane built with a dense layer of brush polymers — the brush-active layer membrane

packaging, will provide experience in real-world polymer recycling research projects to 10 area high schoolers

The three-year, $500,000 NIST award aims to advance the circular polymer economy through multi-tiered workforce development in polymer metrology�

The grant will go toward a new machine that couples thermalgravimetric analysis with mass spectrometry to be housed in Auburn’s Center for Polymers and Advanced Composites

Chemical engineering associate professor earns Young Investigator Award

Tae-Sik Oh appreciates the chance to help solve real-world problems

For instance: What is the most efficient way to generate and store hydrogen?

How can levels of carbon monoxide and greenhouse gases in the atmosphere be reduced? What strategies can improve the recycling of lithium-ion batteries?

For his continued research contributions, Oh has received the Korean Institute of Chemical Engineers (KIChE) President Young Investigator Award for 2024

The KIChE President Young Investigator Award honors Korean and Korean American scientists and engineers who, while early in their research careers, demonstrate exceptional potential for leadership at the frontiers of chemical and related engineering fields

“It’s important that we, as researchers, explore ways to make a positive impact on society,” said Oh, an associate professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering, whose research interests include heterogeneous catalysis, CO2 capture and utilization, membrane reactors, electrochemical cells and filtration membranes “Energy storage is a big part of my research, but I would also like to contribute to filtering small particles from the air ”

Cassandra Porter

Tae-Sik Oh

Auburn expands support for advanced manufacturing

Auburn University continues to take steps to address needs in Alabama and beyond

Its latest endeavor involves extending its support for the state’s capabilities in advanced manufacturing: the use of innovative techniques and technology to improve the productivity and efficiency of manufacturing

The Samuel Ginn College of Engineering will create an Analytical, Innovation and Manufacturing Laboratory to specifically foster workforce development, interdisciplinary collaboration and industry-relevant research and innovation aimed broadly at advanced manufacturing

The Auburn University Board of Trustees accepted the project’s initiation at its June 7 meeting, which will be funded by the state legislature with FY23 supplemental appropriations Facilities Management will now search for an architect to renovate 16,000 square feet beneath the Gavin Garden

“Auburn University stands as a premier institution in the country for advanced manufacturing due to its cutting-edge research, state-of-the-art facilities and unwavering commitment to advancing the field,” said Allan David, associate dean for research in the College of Engineering

CEE alum inducted into Alabama Sports Officials Foundation Hall of Fame

John Stephen “Steve” Newton, ’75 civil engineering and ’76 environmental engineering, has been inducted into the Alabama Sports Officials Foundation Hall of Fame Class of 2024

Newton, 71, officiated football games for 46 years at various levels before retiring in 2021 After retiring, he joined the Fox 6 Sideline Show in Birmingham, where he provided a segment on high school rules He was also a referee state camp instructor with the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA)

Newton refereed several AHSAA state championship games and contests televised on ESPN He also officiated at the collegiate level in the Gulf South and Southland conferences In 2001, he served as a replacement official for the National Football League

CEE doctoral student receives fellowship from ACI

Segun Osibodu, a doctoral student in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, has been awarded a 2024-25 fellowship from the American Concrete Institute (ACI)

Osibodu will receive the Nicholas F Malloof Jr Georgia Chapter Fellowship, awarded to a graduate or undergraduate student pursuing an advanced degree in the concrete industry focusing on construction or building material sciences

According to Anton Schindler, director of the Highway Research Center (HRC), Osibodu is researching an HRC project for ALDOT to develop cost-effective, ultra-high-performance concrete for the transportation industry

Osibodu will receive $10,000 as a fellowship awardee for tuition, residence, books and materials

He will also be recognized in Concrete International magazine, the ACI Foundation website and receive

travel expenses and attendance fees to attend the ACI Concrete Conventions in Philadelphia in November and Toronto in April 2025

Osibodu will additionally receive assistance finding an industry mentor

“Segun is a hard-working student who is always willing to help and learn,” Schindler said

“This is a prestigious fellowship because students from all over the world apply, and awardees were selected after in-person interviews in New Orleans This fellowship is thus a testament to Segun’s exceptional technical and communication skills,” he added

John Stephen “Steve” Newton

Segun Osibodu

Aerospace engineering graduate earns multiple top honors

In 2020, Emma Signor was making one of the most important decisions of her young life about where to attend college

She didn’t know much about Auburn University besides the men’s basketball team’s thrilling trip to the Final Four the previous year and its renowned aerospace engineering department, known for its cuttingedge research, distinguished faculty and outstanding academic facilities All it took was one visit to the Plains,

Aerospace

engineering student earns Department of Defense fellowship

Matthew Hooks, a master’s student in the Department of Aerospace Engineering, was recently awarded a National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship sponsored by the Department of Defense

His fellowship proposal investigates how birds use surface textures on their feathers to improve aerodynamic performance during flapping flight

“Birds use their wings to make midflight adjustments effortlessly,” he said

and she was hooked Fast-forward to 2024, and Signor has cemented herself in the Auburn Family and earned hardware to relfect on her time at Auburn

She won:

• First place in the Southeastern Regional Student Conference hosted by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) for the Region II undergraduate category

• The Undergraduate of the Year award from the AIAA Greater Huntsville Section

• The Mark A Spencer Creative Mentorship Award from the Samuel

“However, we’re trying to understand if the surface texture on the wings improves aerodynamic performance ”

Hooks’ academic mentor, Vrishank Raghav, associate professor in aerospace engineering, handpicked the NDSEG scholar after learning of his academic aspirations in a personal

Emma Signor

Ginn College of Engineering along with her faculty advisor Joe Majdalani, the Hugh and Loeda Francis Chair of Excellence in the Department of Aerospace Engineering

statement to Auburn Hooks said he was interested in investigating birds’ flight patterns and developing software solutions for physical problems

“Matthew has demonstrated that he is passionate about bird flight and has previously conducted research in physics,” Raghav said

“As such, we explored avenues for him to get involved with fluid physics and aerodynamics of bird flight by using resources available at Auburn University The NDSEG fellowship is a testament to his perseverance and hard work I look forward to working with him on this exciting project,” he added

Matthew Hooks

Students’ research ideas celebrated at college’s AUSome Science in 60 Seconds

Can waste materials be used to produce sustainable 3D-printed housing? Can sustainable fuel trim aircraft emissions in the fight against climate change and end our dependence on aviation petroleum? Can Auburn engineering students examine such research projects, then explain them on video in just 60 seconds?

Of course they can�

AUSome Science in 60 Seconds, a research-based competition in its second year presented by the Council of Engineering Graduate Students, tasked students to create videos and explain their respective projects in a minute or less

Winners were announced during an awards ceremony in April

Lucila Carias, a second-year graduate student in polymer and fiber engineering in the Department of Chemical Engineering, and Ayden Kemp, a senior double-majoring in aerospace engineering and biosystems engineering, earned highest marks among faculty judges — winning top honors in graduate student and undergraduate student categories

Listen to the #GINNING podcasts with Lucila Carias, Ayden Kemp and Michael Perez at eng.auburn.edu/ginning ↑ ↗

NCAT doctoral student awarded Asphalt Institute Foundation Kirk Scholarship

Anthony Brenes-Calderon, a doctoral student working with Auburn University’s National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT), is driving sustainable asphalt innovation forward with help from the Bill and Shireen Kirk Scholarship

The Kirk Scholarship, administered by the Asphalt Institute Foundation, is awarded annually to third or fourth-year undergraduate, graduate or doctoral students pursuing degrees in civil engineering, construction management or related programs

“Anthony is exceptionally well-organized, always prepared and very proactive,” said Adriana Vargas-Nordcbeck, associate research professor at NCAT and Brenes-Calderon’s advisor “He takes on every challenge with a positive attitude and has a genuine desire to produce something useful to our industry Anthony’s exceptional qualifications make him highly deserving of this scholarship

Stormwater Research Facility developing erosion and sediment control guidelines

Auburn University’s Stormwater Research Facility (AU-SRF) has been tasked with creating design guidelines for erosion and sediment control practices used on highway construction sites to minimize stormwater pollution

Michael Perez, director of the AU-SRF and Brasfield & Gorrie associate professor in civil and environmental engineering, is the principal investigator on the three-year, $750,000 grant from the National Academy of Sciences’ National Cooperative Highway Research Program

He said the erosion and sediment control industry is currently driven by generally accepted but not scientifically evaluated design guidelines The resiliency or the

risk of failure of these practices is not defined clearly or is difficult to quantify with current design methods

“That’s the unique thing about our lab — we’re taking practices that have been used for a long time that nobody’s had the opportunity to actually investigate through controlled research experiments,” Perez said “We’re putting science behind it and trying to really understand how they perform and also provide improved designs with consideration to resiliency and risk of failure ”

Anthony Brenes-Calderon

From left: Lucila Carias and Ayden Kemp

Michael Perez

Biosystems engineering dominates at ASABE International Meeting

Auburn University’s Department of Biosystems Engineering was hard to miss at the 2024 American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers Annual International Meeting held in Anaheim, California

Associate professor Brendan Higgins received the New Holland Young Researcher Award and Outstanding Associate Editor

Associate professor Simer Virk was recognized as an Outstanding Manuscript Reviewer

Kritika Maholtra, who recently earned both a master’s and doctorate from Auburn and her advisor, associate professor Jasmeet Lamba, received a Superior Paper Award in the Natural Resources and Environmental Systems division Lamba also earned first place in the Boyd-Scott Graduate Research Award along with recent master’s graduate Preetika Kaur

Graduate students Rachel Day, Noor Fatima, Vivian Usha and Raziyeh Jokar won second place in the Bioprocess startup competition

Master’s student Ayden Kemp, who recently earned a bachelor’s degree from Auburn in biosystems engineering, won first place in the K K Barnes Student Paper Award for undergraduate students

CSSE assistant professor part of cyber workforce development program

Akond Rahman, assistant professor in computer science and software engineering and an affiliated faculty member of the Auburn Cyber Research Center, is part of a multiinstitution workforce development program designed to provide students with extra cybersecurity training to prepare for Department of Defense (DOD)-related careers

The project, “A Virtual Institute for Cyber Research and Experiential Education,” will focus on meeting the cyber workforce needs of the U S Armed Services, DOD and Defense Industrial Base partners

Auburn University was awarded more than $120,000 for the first year of this two-year grant, funded via North Carolina A&T

“There is a tremendous gap in the cyber workforce,” Rahman said “This gap is not only within industry, but also in the government and federal sector We need to develop students to become professionals who have the necessary cybersecurity knowledge to defend and mitigate cyber attacks constantly coming from enemy states This project directly responds to the call of strengthening the nation’s cyber workforce strategy mentioned in the National Cybersecurity Strategy ”

Assistant professor in chemical engineering to explore frozen polymer solutions’ impact on oil pipelines

Polymer solutions are injected into petroleum products to enhance viscosity and increase oil recovery

However, polymer solutions are also subject to freezing upon extraction in bitterly cold environments, potentially bursting pipelines The result: disruptions and costly repairs

Jean-François Louf, assistant professor in chemical engineering, hopes to solve the problem

His study, “Freezing of polymer solution droplets,” will leverage a very well-defined geometry, a droplet, to develop a fundamental understanding of polymer solutions freezing He hopes to establish new guidelines for designing resilient polymer solutions – potentially preventing pipeline damage in sub-freezing climates

The project was awarded a two-year, $110,000 grant from the American Chemical Society Petroleum Research Fund

“Upon freezing, so many things can happen to a polymer chain; it can be trapped, pushed, stretched, etc�, which can alter the shape and volume of the final frozen object,” Louf said “You can do so many things with polymers and ice, so we started looking at freezing in a very simple geometry: the freezing of polymer solution droplets ”

Biosystems Engineering students

Akond Rahman Jean-Francois Louf

ISE professor awarded Fulbright Scholarship

Aleksandr Vinel, associate professor of industrial and systems engineering, has been awarded a Fulbright U S Scholar Program grant� Vinel will spend the spring 2025 semester teaching and collaborating at Bilkent University in Turkey

Fulbright U S Scholars are esteemed faculty, researchers, administrators and professionals who engage in teaching and research at institutions around the globe These scholars often participate in cutting-edge research, expand their professional networks and establish international collaborations that benefit their home institutions

“I already know several researchers in Turkey, but spending a semester there will allow me to build direct collaborations and travel throughout the country,” Vinel said “I believe this experience will not only advance my own professional and personal goals but also benefit Auburn University by bringing back valuable insights to share with students and colleagues

Stormwater Research Facility to develop portable stormwater treatment device

The Auburn University Stormwater Research Facility (AU-SRF) is partnering with Fagan Consulting LLC to design a portable, self-contained stormwater treatment device to treat stormwater runoff and protect the waters of Alabama and the U S

Fagan Consulting of Prattville is owned by Tracey and Barry Fagan, both ‘94 Auburn civil engineering graduates  Barry Fagan, the project’s principal investigator, has worked closely with the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering for more than 20 years and was involved in developing the stormwater research facility in 2008

Michael Perez, director of the AU-SRF and Brasfield & Gorrie associate professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, said the project is funded through a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract with the U S Department

of Transportation (USDOT) and Innovate Alabama, a public-private partnership that fosters new technologies and creates jobs

Auburn and Fagan have partnered through Phase I of the SBIR contract to develop a working prototype, nicknamed the “Tiger Shark,” that successfully removes pollutants from stormwater runoff Fagan and Auburn have recently been awarded a Phase II contract with the USDOT along with another supplemental grant from Innovate Alabama This phase involves developing a market-ready product within the next two years

Through August, the team has received awards totaling $975,000

HL Mando America Corp. recognized for support of Auburn mechanical engineering

HL Mando America Corp was recognized for its support of Auburn University, the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering and the Department of Mechanical Engineering

HL Mando’s commitment of $200,000 will support up to four graduate students participating in the accelerated bachelor’s and master’s degree program in mechanical engineering at Auburn with a special interest in automotive technologies

Based in Seoul, South Korea, HL Mando is an electric vehicle and autonomous driving solutions company specializing in core components key to vehicle safety It is a global leader in key enabling technologies for future mobility including redundancy concept and bywire technology and is strengthening eco-friendly vehicle solutions such as e-Drive and hydrogen fuel cell converters HL Mando America is HL Mando’s U S -based subsidiary with manufacturing operations in Opelika and Hogansville, Georgia

HL Mando America produces brake calipers, electric steering systems and suspension systems

HL Mando America executives, including CEO Bruce Kim and Head of Americas Region Yun Lee, presented a ceremonial check to Mario Eden, dean of engineering, in August during a reception

Aleksandr Vinel

From left: Mario Eden and Yun Lee

From left:, Barry Fagan, Megan Armstrong and Michael Perez

Professor emeritus in electrical and computer engineering earns IEEE award

Victor Nelson, professor emeritus in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE), was presented with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers

Educational Activities Board

Meritorious Achievement Award in Accreditation Activities at its annual conference in November

This award recognizes efforts to foster the maintenance and improvement of education through accreditation of engineering, engineering technology, computer science and applied science programs

Nelson began his tenure at Auburn in 1978 as an assistant professor in ECE and made his home on the Plains for 41 years before retiring in 2019 Even in retirement, the classroom remains a familiar place for Nelson as he continues to live in Auburn and serves as a visiting lecturer

“I literally haven’t been out of school since kindergarten,” Nelson said “I am currently, as my wife says, flunking retirement

“I love teaching� It’s been my favorite part about the whole thing, and that’s why I’ve continued to offer to help Since retiring, I’ve taught courses for electrical and computer engineering, but also taught in the computer science online program for a couple of years ”

CSSE assistant professor develops software used to identify leukemia cells

Haynes Heaton, an assistant professor in the Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering, has developed software which likely will change the standard of care for leukemia patients undergoing bone marrow transplants

By using his software, Heaton and fellow researchers hope to replace current diagnostics for post-bone marrow transplant relapse monitoring with a new technology, singlecell RNA sequencing Heaton and collaborators at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center at the University of Washington were awarded a $3 5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health for their project, “A Compass for Those With Relapsed Leukemia After Transplants

Single-cell RNA sequencing, created by biotechnology company 10x Genomics, is the new technology that has revolutionized how biology is studied in the modern era

This sequences the RNA from each cell — attaching a barcode of DNA on each sequence to indicate its origin

Using a beta-binomial iterative anomaly detection system, the software distinguishes donor bone marrow cells from user bone marrow cells among transplant recipients to within 05% Heaton said previous methods struggled to distinguish these cells to within 2%

CEE assistant professor researching temperature change’s impact on permafrost

How are changes in climate temperatures affecting permafrost and potentially infrastructure in Arctic and sub-Arctic regions?

Ali Khosravi, an assistant professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, aims to answer this question through his recent National Science Foundation collaborative project with his twin brother, Mohammad Khosravi, an associate professor at Montana State University

Bart Prorok, a materials engineering program chair, and Paul Bartley, an assistant professor in horticulture at Auburn University, are co-PIs

Khosravi, who specializes in geotechnical engineering, seeks to improve understanding of how climate change impacts permafrost, enhancing predictions about permafrost thaw and its effects on infrastructure in Arctic and sub-Arctic regions

“When permafrost starts to thaw and becomes thinner due to changing climates, that’s going to cause more settlement within the soil, and any structures on top of that soil will begin to settle as well It could also affect the stability of coastal bluffs, leading to increased erosion rates and potential hazards for nearby communities and infrastructure,” he said

Victor Nelson Haynes Heaton

Ali Khosravi

Researcher in ECE earns $307K grant to explore how helicopters can land after engine failure

Turbine helicopter engines fail once every 375,000 flight hours, according to the Federal Aviation Administration

Which control sequences and flight conditions make it possible for trained pilots to land in the event of engine failure? Which conditions do not?

Matthew Kirchner, assistant professor in electrical and computer engineering, will soon find out

Sponsored by the Office of Naval Research, his three-year, $307,000

Professor to explore microgravitational printing of semiconductors through NASA-supported parabolic flights

Can a small, laser ablation and sintering enabled (LASED) multi-material printer operate in microgravity?

Masoud Mahjouri-Samani, the Goldbold Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, will find out next spring through a series of NASA-supported parabolic flights

The purpose: to prove the space functionality of a specially designed LASED multi-material printer capable of printing various materials, including semiconductors, metals and insulators that can be used to make electronics and semiconductor devices in gravity-challenged environments

“When it comes to space manufacturing, we need sustainable technology that is compatible

study, “Safe Flight Envelope Characterization and Emergency Landing with Reachability,” will create height-velocity diagrams for various helicopter models — guides for pilots to handle emergency landings and investigate reliable engine failure detection techniques

“It’s rewarding to have the opportunity to provide the Navy with

with the space environment,” said Mahjouri-Samani, founder of NanoPrintek, Inc , an Auburn-based startup that creates disruptive LASED multi-material printing technology for electronics, energy, biomedical and sensing applications “With printed electronics, the entire industry has been based on wet ink, but ink and liquids are not compatible with space or microgravity environments

“Our dry LASED multi-material printer also does not require postprocessing, a procedure that typically necessitates the use of ovens and/ or heaters, which have their own challenges in the space environment This supply chain-resilient and sustainable technology is an energy-

important information that could reduce the number of potential accidents and keep our pilots safe,” Kirchner said

Kirchner’s research will distinguish “safe regions” from “unsafe regions” when pilots undergo emergency landings

Safe regions are flight conditions where a control sequence can land the helicopter safety

Unsafe regions are conditions where no such control sequence is available, and a safe landing is impossible

Listen to the #GINNING podcasts with Matthew Kirchner and Brian Anderson at eng.auburn.edu/ginning

efficient and environmentally friendly process that will open a new realm of manufacturing in space I am proud that this technology was invented in my lab and doesn’t exist anywhere else worldwide,” he added

The project, “In Space Dry Printing Electronics and Semiconductor Devices,” recently received a $870,000 grant from NASA to pursue new manufacturing frontiers

The technology uses in-situ laser ablation to generate pure and dry nanoparticles from solid materials

Next, the nanoparticles are flown out of the printer nozzle and laser sintered in real time to print various multi-material electronics and semiconductor devices

From left: Matthew Kirchner and graduate student Sean Bowerfind

From left: Masoud Mahjouri-Samani and graduate student Aarsh Patel

Aerospace engineering

assistant professor to study flow-induced vibrations of 3D

structures

Nek Sharan, assistant professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering, seeks to understand how 3D geometries vibrate when exposed to fluid flows

Through his $300,000 National Science Foundation project titled “Three-dimensional Geometry Effects on Flow-induced Vibrations,” Sharan will conduct novel simulations to investigate 3D structural vibrations in fluid flows, establish links between specific shapes and vibration

CEE professor, two graduate students, receive Graduate School recognition

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering was well represented at the Auburn University Graduate School’s annual awards ceremony held April 26�

J Brian Anderson, professor, graduate program officer and associate chair for research, received an Auburn University Outstanding Graduate Mentor Award

Geotechnical graduate student Anthony Matthews received a Merriwether Fellowship from the Auburn University Graduate School for 2024-25 Geotechnical graduate student Mengwei Xuan received an Outstanding Doctoral Student Award

behaviors and develop methods to modify shapes for controlling those vibrations

“There is a lot of interest in drones delivering packages in urban communities, and those environments tend to be more chaotic because of buildings, cars and other disturbances,” Sharan said “These

CEE professor awarded for researching wrong-way driving

Huaguo Zhou, the Elton Z and Lois G Huff Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, was recently awarded for his research on intoxicated drivers and engineering countermeasures to prevent wrong-way driving

Zhou, along with Chris Correia, professor and chair of the Department of Psychological Sciences in the College of Liberal Arts, received the supplemental category of the high-value research award from the California Department of Transportation for their study, “Developing Engineering Countermeasures for Wrong-Way Driving ”

“This recognition highlights the quality and significance of our study, which examined the cognitive abilities of severely intoxicated drivers and assessed various engineering countermeasures to prevent wrongway entry onto freeways,” Zhou said

The study involved 30 participants

aerial vehicles should be able to withstand severe winds and gusts So, what geometric modifications can be implemented to enhance their stability and robustness?”

Sharan’s research can improve the design of various structures that are susceptible to vibration during heavy winds/precipitation, such as buildings, bridges and construction cranes Additionally, the findings can be used to improve the design of energy harvesting technologies, which thrive on unstable vibrations to produce electricity from ocean waves

in a driving simulator, and each participant had three sessions: one for training, one while sober and one while intoxicated with a blood alcohol level of 0 12%

“Through a detailed analysis of driving inputs and eye-tracking data during sober and intoxicated sessions, we identified the most effective wrong-way warning methods and provided practical implementation guidance for state DOTs,” Zhou said

Zhou noted that while wrong-way crashes are rare, they often result in severe injuries or fatalities, with alcohol being a major factor The study found that impaired drivers accounted for almost 60% of all wrong-way driving crashes and nearly 77% of fatal wrong-way crashes

Nek Sharan

Huaguo Zhou

From left: Mengwei Xuan, Anthony Matthews and J. Brian Anderson

Multiaxial fatigue and fracture expert joins NCAME

One of the nation’s leading experts in multiaxial fatigue and fracture mechanics has made the move to Auburn

Reza Molaei, new assistant professor of mechanical engineering and former director of the Metal Additive Manufacturing Lab at the University of Memphis, will continue his research into the relationship between process parameters, material structure and the mechanical properties of additively manufactured materials for Auburn University’s National Center for Manufacturing Excellence (NCAME)

“Dr Molaei is a brings a wealth of expertise in additive manufacturing (AM) related to enhancing the structural integrity and fatigue life of AM components,” said NCAME director Nima Shamsaei, the PhilpottWestPoint Stevens Distinguished Professor of mechanical engineering “He’s a very valuable addition to NCAME’s research team At the University of Memphis, he was involved in numerous projects that solidified his reputation in the field His reputation precedes him ”

The feeling, Molaei says, is mutual�

“I was drawn to Auburn in part due to Dr Shamsaei’s pioneering contributions to the understanding of fatigue, fracture and structural integrity of AM components, which are particularly inspiring,” he said

CEE professor helps install new crosswalks near primary school in Alabama

Jeff LaMondia, a professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, is once again helping Alabama communities address distinctive local active transportation needs

LaMondia, in collaboration with Auburn University Extension, has worked with community members in Eutaw to install new crosswalks and restripe parking spots near Eutaw Primary School in Greene County

Through the Live Well Alabama Thriving Communities program, LaMondia teams with Katie Funderburk, Ruth Brock and Mitch Carter

Live Well Alabama Thriving Communities is supported by a five-year, $4 4 million grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to improve opportunities for safe and accessible physical activity by empowering community coalitions across the state to lead the charge for change

In Eutaw, LaMondia has been working with the community coalition for several months on a community active transportation action plan for short-, medium- and long-term improvements to help promote safe walking and bicycling within its city limits

Materials engineering doctoral student wins award for hydrogen sensor research

The kudos for materials engineering doctoral student Vladislav Korostelev keep coming

Korostelev was named Auburn University’s 2023-24 Outstanding Doctoral Student for the Department of Materials Engineering He received the Graduate Research Scholars Program award for his work in ensuring the safe and widespread use of hydrogen as a clean energy alternative

“Hydrogen is essential for various applications from rockets to cars, but it’s colorless, odorless and highly flammable,” Korostelev said “That poses significant safety challenges Accurate hydrogen detection is essential to prevent disasters in everything from aerospace applications to everyday hydrogen-operated vehicles My research focuses on developing advanced hydrogen sensors by examining how hydrogen interacts with different materials ”

Awarded through the Alabama Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research, a consortium of the state’s eight doctoral granting institutions, the Alabama Department of Commerce, the Alabama Commission on Higher Education and business leaders; the GRSP award provides Korostelev valuable resources to support his research

Listen to the #GINNING podcasts with Jeff LaMondia and Chris Roberts at eng.auburn.edu/ginning ↖ ↑

Reza Molaei

From left: Christopher B. Roberts, Vladislav Korostelev and George Flowers

Associate mechanical engineering professor researching heat management approaches

National defense applications in space are heating up� That’s good news in a certain sense, not so good in another

“There’s obviously no air in space, no standard means of venting heat from electronics like you might normally envision,” said Dan Harris, associate professor of mechanical engineering “We have to find new ways to dissipate that heat because as weapons systems in space, and even terrestrial and airborne environments, grow more sophisticated, traditional waste heat management scenarios are becoming obsolete That’s what this project aims to address ”

Harris is speaking of his recent $593,886 grant from defense and

Graduate School honors 28 engineering students and faculty

Nearly 30 engineering graduate students were recognized at the annual Auburn University Graduate School awards ceremony in April in the Melton Student Center Ballroom

technology contractor L3-Harris, which will go toward research into mitigating the challenges of short duration bursts of high-power dissipation rates on emerging defense systems designs

Titled “Cooling Strategies for High Peak Power, Low Duty Cycle Heat Dissipation Profiles,” the project will both develop and explore emerging thermal management materials and technologies as applied to the needs (specifically related to space and weight requirements) of several L3Harris production systems

Auburn Engineering’s graduate program was recently ranked No 31 in the 2024 U�S� News & World Report’s Best Graduate Schools, marking four consecutive years in the top 20 and eight years in the top 25

“Our students’ dedication and commitment to excellence shine through as they contribute significantly to campus life through research and involvement in student organizations Our graduate students also have a rich legacy of influencing both industry and academia beyond Auburn,” said Maria Auad, associate dean for graduate studies and faculty development “It comes as no surprise that our program’s graduate students rank among the finest at the university and are undoubtedly among the nation’s elite ”

ECE professor earns outstanding leadership award

Gopikrishna Deshpande, professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE), was presented with the Outstanding Leadership Award for extraordinary achievements in healthcare and wellness at the Health 2 0 Conference in March

Deshpande, among the leading researchers inside the Auburn University Neuroimaging Center, has published more than 100 articles on neuroimaging and brain connectivity, received significant research funding and has been featured in international media

“As academicians, it is more common to be recognized by fellow academicians and scientific societies,” Deshpande said “I have had such recognitions in the past However, this award is given to leaders from outside academia as well, including people in the healthcare industry and those involved in outreach related to healthcare Therefore, I find this award to be special because the members of the selection committee found my work to be of larger impact in the society beyond my narrow scientific discipline

“Many people work hard, but only a few succeed Therefore, I would like to attribute my success to the support provided by my colleagues at the neuroimaging center, ECE department and the College of Engineering ”

Dan Harris

From left: Vincent W. Allen and Gopikrishna Deshpande

Shay Pilcher, a mechanical engineering research engineer working in the Montgomery Advanced Manufacturing Laboratories, works on a Trak TRL 1630RX lathe capable of manual, CNC and conversational turning.

HANDS ON

A donor's passion for practical skills is powering the country's best student-centered engineering experience like never before

By Jeremy Henderson

Larry Montgomery believes in education, which trains the minds and hands of young men and women to work skillfully.

If only he’d gone to Auburn.

Montgomery grew up like most future mechanical engineers. In his spare time, he took apart machines and tinkered with engines.

If you needed help fixing your boat, he could lend a hand as best he could.

“But,” he said, “I didn’t know how to do it properly.”

Heading to college, Montgomery assumed, would surely change that. It didn’t.

“When I was accepted for undergraduate study in mechanical engineering, I highly anticipated the opportunity to develop practical skills through handson instruction,” said Montgomery, a 1978 Georgia Tech graduate who spent most of his career in engineering and management with American consumer goods giant Kimberly-Clark. “I was disappointed to earn a degree without ever touching a tool.”

At Auburn, he wouldn’t have made it past his third semester without touching one.

They call it — MECH 2020 Manufacturing Technology Lab: “Manufacturing technology lab for introduction

of processes such as cutting, forming, machining and joining of metals and other materials. Basic and applied machine shop and manufacturing floor safety.”

The place that makes it possible? The Design and Manufacturing Laboratory (DML) in the basement of Wiggins Hall, home base for the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering’s unique approach to advanced manufacturing education. Which, thanks to the Montgomery Family Foundation — directed by Larry and his wife, Mary — just got a lot more advanced.

“It is a particular passion of ours,” Montgomery said, “to help provide hands-on experiences for undergraduate engineering students.”

Emphasis on “undergraduate.”

“Undergraduate — that’s the key word,” said Jordan Roberts, senior lecturer. “You see similar equipment to what we have in the DML used for research opportunities at several peer institutions, but those are relegated to self-selected upperclassmen for specific projects or research. That’s something we fully support, but Auburn is unique in that, as far as we can see, no other four-year institutions provide their undergraduate students with a hands-on manufacturing experience as full as this one.”

And it’s getting fuller by the month. The DML was born in 2008 in the old Mech Shop, which served the college mostly as a space for research project fabrication.

→ Larry Montgomery, left, and Jordan Roberts, examine the Creaform MetraSCAN 3D. The state-of-the-art scanner is now available to Auburn Engineering students and faculty utilizing the renovated Montgomery Advanced Manufacturing Laboratories.

“Dr. David (Doc) Dyer, who was department chair at the time, decided to convert that shop into what they called the Design and Manufacturing Lab to teach mechanical engineering students how manufacturing impacts design,” Roberts said. “You know there’s that line in the Auburn Creed about this being a ‘practical world.’ Well, Doc was a big believer in that. You can design things all you want, but can you actually manufacture those designs? That’s pretty important. That was the consideration they were trying to impart in mechanical engineering students. That’s what we’re still trying to impart.”

In 2012, the lab moved to the basement of Wiggins Hall. Students came, students went.

The equipment, however, mostly remained the same.

Roberts, who earned a master’s and doctoral degrees in mechanical engineering from Auburn, took the lab’s reins in December 2019. Hopes were high. Then, the world changed.

However, the incredible challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic also brought plenty of unexpected opportunities.

“Not long after I took over, President (Christopher) Roberts, who was then dean of engineering, stopped by the lab for a presentation on safety,” he said. “Afterward, he asked me what could help take the DML to the next level.”

So, in March 2020, as the actual gears ground to a halt, the metaphorical gears started turning.

“When we shut down, we were really able to take stock of what we had, what was working well, what wasn’t working so well and what we could do to really enhance our students’ experience,” Roberts said. “That meant looking not just at the equipment and tools available but how the students were able to engage with them. We talked with college alumni, with alumni of the lab and with friends of the college to come together on how to build on what we had.”

Front, from left: Christian Brodbeck, director of engineering research operations; Montgomery Family Foundation principals Mary and Larry Montgomery; Jordan Roberts, senior engineering lecturer; and Mario Eden, dean of engineering, tour the new and improved Design and Manufacturing Laboratory, which anchors the recently renovated Montgomery Advanced Manufacturing Laboratories in the basement of Wiggins Hall.

Friends like the Montgomerys.

“When we first met with Larry, it was very clear that we both have a passion for undergraduate engineering education that involves hands-on experiences — those high-impact experiences where our students can use the resources in this space to prepare for the career they will have,” Roberts said.

“Thanks to the Montgomery Family Foundation gift, when our graduates walk into those environments, they are now going to be very familiar in ways they havenn’t been in the past,” he added.

Shay Pilcher, a 2021 and 2022 mechanical engineering graduate now working for the Department of Mechanical Engineering as a research engineer, said replicating those enviroments required a few road trips.

“When I took this class several years ago, the machinery and the technology we were using was pretty outdated,” Pilcher said. “It was almost like a hobby-level lab.

We were getting experience, but weren’t really being introduced to what was truly out in the industry.

“One day, just after he took over as director, Dr. (Jordan) Roberts found me in class and asked if I wanted to work in the lab and plan how to really elevate what we were offering. What we and some of the other TA’s (teaching assistants) quickly realized is that the lab wasn’t what was represented [to students] when they leave school, which was the whole purpose of that introductory class. So we said, ‘let’s go tour some places, let’s go look and actually ask some questions about what we needed to improve,’ because we really needed to get industrystandard stuff in here,” she added.

They got it in there.

The extensive equipment upgrade built into the $2.75 million renovation of the laboratories and work areas now collectively known as the Montgomery Advanced Manufacturing Laboratories includes a variety of CNC machines — a Haas 5-axis machining

The extensive equipment upgrade built into the $2.1 million renovation of what is now the Montgomery Advanced Manufacturing Laboratories includes a variety of CNC machines — a Haas 5-axis machining center, a Haas 3-axis lathe and two Haas 3-axis machining centers.

center, a Haas 3-axis lathe and two Haas 3-axis machining centers. The lab also features advanced 3D printing capabilities with metal printing systems from Markforged and One-Click Metal, a Stratasys Fortus large-format polymer printer and a Meltio metal printer integrated with the Haas 5-axis machine. In the DML alone, students utilize professional-grade milling machines, lathes (including three manual Bridgeports and two large engine lathes), a Clausing radial drill, grinders and even a powder coat system. The lab also provides dedicated space for student project assembly.

“We now have three different methods of printing metals, which is great given how important additive manufacturing is becoming in today’s manufacturing environment,” he said. “We have an incredible inspection room with half a million dollars in measurement machines, including a state-of-the-art Creaform MetraSCAN 3D scanner that can scan anything from a trinket to a vehicle, which is something we have actually done for some (Department of Defense) partners.”

But the new era doesn’t just include new resources, it includes new offerings. The increased functionality of the space, which now incorporates additional square footage previously utilized mostly for storage, has inspired proposals for seven additional technical electives throughout the next several years supporting a Mechanical Engineering Advanced Manufacturing Certificate.

“Our students can now walk into the DML, and when they go to a co-op, an internship or to their career, they’ll see very similar techniques, very similar machinery and they’ll know the verbiage and the procedures,” Roberts said. “They will be better engineers because of what’s been done here. Again, it comes back to that line in the Creed. We’re instilling the tools for success in a practical world.”

Pilcher agrees.

“Engineers can do things in theory all day long — crunch numbers, make the most beautiful design you’ve

Students working in the Design and Manufacturing Lab within the Montgomery Advanced Manufacturing Laboratories can utilize professional-grade milling machines, lathes (including three manual Bridgeports and two large engine lathes), a Clausing radial drill, grinders and even a powder coat system.

ever seen in your life,” she said. “But if you never understand what fabricators and machinists have to go through, if you don’t step into their shoes, you don’t understand the process you have to go through to test those designs and make them real products.

And, in some cases, designs can’t physically be made even with the massive advancements in tech over the past couple of years.

“These classes and these designs are designed to show students, ‘Hey, just because it looks good on paper, doesn’t mean you can physically do it in real life, and if you can’t do it in real life, you have to go back and forth with the machinists and fabricators.’

We’re giving them the knowledge of exactly what they need to be designing. That saves time, that saves money, that makes you a far more effective engineer for a company. And that’s what Auburn is producing — effective and efficient engineers.”

Just like Larry Montgomery wanted to be.

“I came out of college probably as a pretty decent heat transfer and thermodynamics guy, but I was lacking the skills I was really looking for,” Montgomery said at the October dedication of the Montgomery Advanced Manufacturing Laboratories.

“Academia of the day determined that it wasn’t relevant, that working with your hands — creating something and holding it in your hands — was passe, that it wasn’t needed.”

“But having spent my career as a mechanical engineer, I am convinced of the value of hands-on experiences to complement classroom instruction. We were motivated to make our gifts because of how the Auburn Engineering culture stresses the practical application of knowledge. This is particularly important for success in business today,” he added.

George Petrie couldn’t have said it better himself.

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Meet the Montgomerys

Larry Montgomery earned a degree in mechanical engineering from Georgia Tech and an MBA from Emory University. His career was spent with the Kimberly-Clark Corp. serving in engineering, manufacturing, research and development and management of major capital projects.

Larry’s wife, Mary, earned a degree in business and an MBA from the University of Wisconsin. Currently, she works in the Office of Development at the Georgia Tech. Her experience includes corporate logistics, manufacturing and e-commerce.

Larry and Mary are principals of the Montgomery Family Foundation. The Foundation’s mission is to improve lives through transformational educational opportunities.

The Montgomerys are members of the Engineering EAGLE and Ginn societies as well as the university’s 1856 and Foy societies. They previously supported the Larry and Mary Montgomery Design Studio and the Larry and Mary Montgomery Machine Shop in the Brown-Kopel Center.

A generous investment from the Montgomery Family Foundation made the renovation of the advanced manufacturing laboratories in Wiggins Hall possible. The spaces have been named the Montgomery Advanced Manufacturing Laboratories in honor of their commitment to Auburn Engineering.

From left: Dean of Engineering Mario Eden, Mary Montgomery, Larry Montgomery and Auburn University President Christopher B. Roberts pose at the dedication of the Montgomery Advanced Manufacturing Laboratories in October.

Exploring the World

Engineering Global Programs provides students with opportunities to learn worldwide

By Dustin Duncan

Auburn Engineering is more than attending class, earning top grades and having a successful career after graduation. It’s about taking part in the best student-centered engineering experience in America. Auburn Engineering students can take that experience worldwide thanks to Engineering Global Programs.

Germany, Spain, Italy and South Korea are just a few of the locations that Auburn students can explore. Working in lockstep with Auburn Abroad, Engineering Global Programs is committed to ensuring Auburn students and visitors have educational and cultural experiences that enrich their lives.

Dean Hendrix, associate dean for undergraduate studies and program assessment, said traveling and studying internationally offers many advantages, including learning about and experiencing different cultures, building a worldwide network of contacts and learning a new language and skill set.

“An Engineering Global Programs experience is truly transformative,” said Hendrix, who has also served as director of Engineering Global Programs since 2022. “Our students gain technical skills and develop a global perspective that makes them better students, employees and people.

History of Engineering Global

In 2008, Bob Karcher, then assistant dean for engineering student services, wanted Auburn Engineering students to have opportunities to go abroad and take courses that would apply to their degree tracks.

A trip to Australia sparked the idea of Engineering Global Programs led Karcher to formalize a deal with the University of Western Australia for an exchange program each year.

Shortly after, Auburn Engineering began to expand its global opportunities in Germany through student and faculty exchanges.

The program took a big leap when Karcher was offered to lead Auburn’s Engineers Without Borders (EWB) chapter, which he made an official chapter of the national EWB. By now, Auburn Engineering had a few exchanges and an official EWB program, but Karcher still felt the university could do more.

He went to former engineering Dean Christopher Roberts, now president of Auburn University, and asked for an official role to help engineering students travel overseas.

Students and faculty pose for a photo in Barcelona, Spain, before the La Sagrada Familia cathedral. As part of the international summer program through the Thomas Walter Center, students can spend four weeks in Spain and another four weeks in Germany, learning a blend of business and engineering principles for international product design.

↑“He was 100% on board with the idea and gave me his full support,” Karcher said.

That’s how Karcher became director of something that would soon be named Engineering Global.

“I was very interested in having our engineering students do something abroad in engineering,” he said. “They could have gone to Auburn Abroad and studied any number of subjects, but I wanted our engineering students to have the opportunity to begin taking coursework overseas that would apply to their major and get involved with global companies that would give them real-world experience.”

As director of Engineering Global, he worked with faculty throughout Auburn to develop concurrent degree programs in Germany, faculty-led programs in Spain and Italy and additional exchange programs in Europe.

Karcher retired from Auburn in 2020 and handed the reins of Engineering Global to Hendrix, whom Karcher coined a “champion” of the program.

Exchange Programs

Engineering Global Programs has five active exchange programs: three in Germany, one in Italy and its newest program in Morocco.

The exchange program’s setup is the same for each country — students spend a semester living and studying at one of the partner universities.

Partner universities include:

• Technical University of Applied Sciences WürzburgSchweinfurt, Germany

• Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences, Germany

• University of Applied Sciences Offenburg, Germany

• Al Akhawayn University, Morocco

• Polytechnic University of Turin, Italy

Hendrix said the unparalleled level of immersion sets the exchange program apart.

“Unlike other programs, an exchange offers the most comprehensive experience, immersing individuals in a different culture, school and language,” he said. “For students eager to truly understand Germany, Italy or Morocco, the exchange program provides an unbeatable opportunity to dive deep into the local way of life.”

Students can use their U.S. passports to travel throughout their host country and surrounding countries, experiencing different cultures, beliefs, languages and food.

Additionally, Hendrix said the cultural experience is immeasurable because many students graduating with an Auburn Engineering degree will likely work for a company that does international work.

International Engineering Summer Programs

The Thomas Walter Center offers opportunities to study abroad in Pamplona, Spain, and Würzburg, Germany.

Several students in Michael Zabala’s summer course focusing on engineering in the arts stand in a courtyard in Florence, Italy. Zabala, the Auburn Alumni Engineering Council Associate Professor in mechanical engineering, says the course focuses on the Italian Renaissance and includes various lectures and tours around Italy.

Jorge Valenzuela, Philpott-WestPoint Stevens Professor in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, leads the program in Pamplona. Students work in groups mentored by Auburn University faculty and Spanish company sponsors on projects involving problem-solving techniques, including data collection, analysis, computational modeling and design problems.

Students work on a consulting project for a Spanish business client, supported by the Universidad Publica de Navarra (UPNA) and the Colegio de Ingenieros Tecnicos Industriales de Navarra. Students from UPNA also participate, providing a European engineering perspective.

According to John Evans, director of the Thomas Walter Center, the client defines the project and student teams prepare reports and present solutions.

Valenzuela added that students are exposed to cultural and global experiences through interactions with Spanish peers and visits to local restaurants and cultural sites, including tours to Olite, San Sebastian and Barcelona.

The Germany program is part of the Thomas Walter Center’s International Business-EngineeringTechnology curriculum minor. This two-year minor

provides education and training to develop new products, business models and plans for start-up companies. Students spend the first four weeks in Pamplona focusing on coursework and developing prototypes, then travel to Würzburg for another four weeks. At the end of the program, students present their work to faculty and industry sponsors.

Engineering in the Arts

Michael Zabala, Auburn Alumni Engineering Council Associate Professor in mechanical engineering, offers a summer course in Florence, Italy. The course focuses on the Italian Renaissance and specific scientists and engineers like Galileo, Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. The course counts as a three-credithour technical elective required for all engineering students. It begins a week after finals with background instruction at Auburn and then continues for four weeks in Florence.

“It’s a faculty-led program, and students are more on the independent side of things,” Zabala said.

The course includes about 20 lectures, each lasting two hours in the mornings, paired with afternoon excursions related to the lecture content. Past outings included the opera in Rome and the Vatican Museum.

A group of students in Pamplona, Spain, pose for a photo outside the Universidad Publican de Navarra. The students participated in a summer program through the Thomas Walter Center.

↑The course is a mini-semester summer class, allowing students to return to Auburn in mid-June.

Zabala noted that students who register are genuinely interested in the educational aspect and the value of an overseas experience, making it a rewarding classroom experience.

Elizabeth Weidl, ’24 aerospace engineering, described her 2023 experience as one of the best at Auburn. She said the program in Italy taught her to love learning again and relish gaining new knowledge.

“The thing that attracted me to the course was that it is a perfect combination of engineering and experience,” Weidl said. “Not only did the trip reignite my passion for learning, but spending time in Florence created a new spark in me to travel and have more experiences.”

Joint Senior Design

For the first time in the fall of 2023, seniors in electrical and computer engineering traveled to Germany through an exchange program with the Technical University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt (THWS).

Thaddeus Roppel, associate professor emeritus, said two students from the capstone class collaborated with two THWS students on a joint senior project.

Katie Wolfe, now an Auburn graduate student, visited THWS in the spring of 2024 with fellow senior Elijah Parker. They teamed with THWS students to develop a system for farming sustainability.

The teams collaborated via weekly Zoom calls and emails for months. They met in person in Germany for 10 days and later in Auburn for another 10 days, eventually presenting their project to faculty.

Wolfe mentioned that the Germany experience blended cultural and academic activities, including trips to Munich, Berlin, and the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site.

“Academically, we spent most of each day on our project, but we also toured THWS labs and met professors,” Wolfe said. “For fun, we visited restaurants, biked to a monastery and saw our German team members’ hometowns.”

Roppel said the program is continuing with more students signed up for fall 2024 and spring 2025.

Engineers Without Borders

The Auburn chapter of Engineers Without Borders (EWB) provides students with unforgettable experiences and makes a tangible impact on people’s lives in developing countries.

Established in 2014, Auburn’s EWB chapter has been actively engaged in international projects.

According to Christian Brodbeck, one of EWB’s faculty advisors, its mission is to build a better world through engineering projects that empower communities to meet their basic human needs, focusing on access to food, water and shelter.

Several students hold the Thomas Walter Center for Technology Management banner for a photo in Pamplona, Spain. To the far left is John Evans, director of the Thomas Walter Center.

Birdsong Experience

One of Engineering Global’s more unique programs is the Birdsong Experience. Partly funded by the Fred and Mary Lou Birdsong Endowed Scholarship, the program requires students to submit a proposal for an international experience focused on studying and learning in a discipline or endeavor other than engineering.

Jose Vasconcelos, a professor in civil and environmental engineering and EWB advisor, said students experience personal growth and learn to see the positive impact of their work on underserved communities.

Auburn EWB has 60 active student members advised by faculty within the College of Engineering, including Brodbeck; Vasconcelos; Tom Burch, senior lecturer in mechanical engineering; Joseph Ragan, lecturer in mechanical engineering; Jack Montgomery, associate professor in civil and environmental engineering; and Gerald John, research associate in civil and environmental engineering.

In Bolivia, Auburn engineers have worked on water transmission for irrigation systems, addressing the critical need for efficient irrigation to support local agriculture. In Guatemala, the focus has been on providing clean drinking water, with Auburn teams installing two complete water systems and planning a third in 2025.

EWB allows Auburn students to work directly with communities with minimal access to basic resources, providing essential resources while gaining valuable experience. The projects are relatively short-term, lasting from one to three years, exposing students to all aspects of an engineering project.

Brodbeck emphasizes that the work with EWB is volunteer-based and doesn’t offer class credit, attracting motivated and high-achieving students. Everyone — even non-engineering majors — is welcome to join.

Birdsong scholarships have been awarded for various endeavors, including developing expertise in playing flamenco guitar in Spain, experiencing a culinary tour of Japan, investigating tropical marine ecology on the Great Barrier Reef off Australia and studying Italian literature in Taormina.

Hendrix said the Birdsong Experience offers students the chance to explore a passion outside of engineering, providing cultural and broadening experiences.

Students must estimate the costs of their proposed programs and then pitch ideas through an application. While sometimes these experiences can relate to their engineering studies, it is not the intent of the program. Hendrix said the primary aim is to support students in exploring areas they are passionate about, enriching their cultural and educational experiences.

“We don’t want to just graduate good students — we want to graduate well-prepared and well-rounded people ready to take on the challenges of a global career,” Hendrix said. “We aim to develop people who are excellent engineers with a broad perspective outside engineering. Gaining different perspectives and cultural insights, along with the ability to think laterally and in diverse areas, is crucial.”

For more information about Global Engineering Programs, visit eng.auburn.edu/global. For more information about Auburn Abroad, visit auburn.edu/ international.

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Three students in the Thomas Walter Center’s Business-EngineeringTechnology program presented to a group in Pamplona, Spain, as part of a summer international project.

Mechanical engineering senior Ben Timm leads Jordan-Hare Stadium in a "War Eagle" as Auburn University's new mic-man during the Tigers' 2024 season-opener against Alabama A&M.

TIMM TIME

From the front office of the Harbert Center to the sidelines of Jordan-Hare, David Timm and his son, Ben, are building a legacy of leadership on the Plains

By Jeremy Henderson

David Timm never felt it while interviewing at schools in the Big 10. He never felt it at the schools in the Big 12. At Auburn, he felt it in the first five minutes.

Most schools just fly in the candidates. If the interview goes well, if things seem promising, then — for the follow-up interview — they might extend the invitation to your spouse.

That’s what Timm was expecting when he applied for a job as an assistant professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at Auburn in 2001. That’s how it had been everywhere else. That’s not what he got.

He knew of Auburn Engineering’s reputation. The National Center for Asphalt Technology was already a household name in engineering circles. The new 1.7mile test track had just opened. No other college in the country — no other college in the world — offered that kind of resource for research. He knew a little about Auburn football. He also knew he liked the idea of warm weather.

“We flew out of Minneapolis in a blizzard,” said Timm, who earned three civil engineering degrees from the University of Minnesota.

What he didn’t know about was the Auburn Family.

“Auburn was the only school to fly out me and my wife, Jenny, for my first interview. That really made an

impression on us — that they were really invested. It really set Auburn apart from the very beginning. We knew it was the place for us pretty much immediately. It was one of those perfect Auburn days — 70 degrees —

Mechanical engineering senior Ben Timm celebrating Auburn's 2010 national championship at Toomer's Corner with his father, civil and environmental department chair David Timm.

with all the azaleas out. It really did feel like family. It felt like something we wanted to be a part of.”

Mission accomplished.

Timm thrived — in the lab and in the classroom — logging one professional award after another.

This spring, he was named the chair of civil and environmental engineering, replacing Andy Nowak, who returned to the classroom after spending 11 years as chair.

“I’ve spent my entire career here,” Timm said. “It’s been a thrill.”

But these days — 23 years later — what gets his Auburn heart pumping more than anything has less to do with his new title, and more to do with his son’s.

“Even after taking over as chair,” he said, “I’m much better known on campus now as the father of the new mic-man.”

TIMM THE TOOL MAN

Senior Ben Timm chose mechanical engineering for a lot of reasons. His grandfather was a mechanical engineer. And there was his dad’s influence, of course — weekends spent on building projects, like building a working trebuchet and launching basketballs across the street while his mom and sister were away for a dance competition. And there was the thrill that came from saving his lawn mowing money and starting his own 3D printing business when he was 12 — an idea he got from attending Auburn Engineering’s previous E-Day event.

“I spent a lot of time taking things apart and putting them back together,” he said.

He was good at it. He still is.

In addition to his co-op gig monitoring energy usage for Auburn University Facilities Management and handling trombone duties for the marching band, he spent much of his first three years on campus down in the Design and Manufacturing Laboratory in Wiggins Hall. Now

Above/right: Ben Timm leads cheers in Jordan-Hare Stadium. In May, the mechanical engineering senior was Auburn University's newest “mic-man."

he’s a leader, one of the folks in charge of teaching folks how to machine safely. When he graduates, he’s looking toward a biomedical degree, making custom orthotics for people with disabilities.

“I’ve always liked helping people and I’ve just always liked working with my hands,” he said.

But, as fate would have it — and to the great surprise of most everyone who knows him — these days he’s known less for his hands and more for his voice. Way more.

FROM DRILL BITS TO TWO BITS

The word his dad used — or used to use — to describe his son? “Low-key.”

Not that Ben was a wallflower — nothing like that. He likes to get involved. He knows how to have fun, cut loose and seize opportunities. Take, for fateful example, the opportunity he seized at Neville Arena in January.

During basketball games, the cheerleaders grab placards that spell out “Auburn” — at least all the way down to the “R.” The “N” is reserved for the “celebrity letter holder” — typically an athlete, a former athlete, someone of note. On that day, however, pickins were slim.

“Miss Latisha (Durroh), the cheerleading director, came over to the band and asked ‘Would anyone like to be the celebrity letter holder?’”

Ben’s hand shot in the air.

“I said ‘Yes ma’am! I would love to do that!’ And so she picked me,” Ben said. “I went down the stairs and when that TV timeout came, I got to go out on the floor with the cheerleaders.

“When I put that ‘N’ up, I was like ‘This is the coolest thing I’ve ever done. This is awesome.’ From that moment on, it was like I was chasing that feeling again,

Right: Growing up, Ben Timm "spent a lot of time taking things apart and putting them back together” with his father David, who earlier this year was named chair of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

of being able to support Auburn and Auburn Athletics in a new, profound way.”

Truth be told, he didn’t have to chase it far. When it came time for razzing opponents and echoing the cheerleaders, Ben already had a reputation for volume.

“When the cheerleaders would do cheers, I would be really loud about it,” he said. “There were a couple times where Dalton turned around and gave me a thumbs up or laughed at it or something like that.”

That would be then Auburn Cheerleading mic-man, Dalton Odom.

“Then one day after one of the games, he came up to me and said ‘Hey, you should try out for this,’” Ben said. “I was like ‘That is exactly what I’m going to do.’”

And he did. He practiced. He put in the work. And on the night of cheerleading callouts back in May, the name they called out after “mic-man” was “Ben Timm.” His dad still finds it hard to believe.

“When I heard him practice his mic-man voice” — his “growl” as David calls it — “I thought, ‘Wow, he may actually have a shot at this.’ It was good. But when he first came and told us about wanting to do it, we were shocked,” David said. “Most people would think of Ben as very even-keeled — what many people might consider a stereotypical engineer: roll up your sleeves, work hard and get the job done. So, the idea that he wanted to be the mic-man, of all things, and have all this attention focused on him during the game, leading people in the cheers and keeping that level of energy up — yeah, it was a shock.”

Ben nods. He understands the wide eyes, he understands the skepticism — at least to an extent.

He understands why sister, Allison, a 2022 Auburn aerospace engineering graduate, nearly dropped the phone when she found out that her little brother, the trombone-playing mechanical engineer, would be calling the shots in the 12th largest college football stadium in the country.

“I didn’t tell Allison I was trying out,” he said. “She’s in Illinois. That was a fun phone call. She wasn’t expecting that.”

But, for Ben, it somehow all seemed perfectly natural. That sense of family his dad and mom, Jenny, a coordinator for the university’s Auburn Cares student support program, first experienced when arriving in Auburn? That sense of belonging? Of being a part of something bigger than yourself? That’s the only feeling Ben’s ever known, he said. And he wanted to know it more.

And, of course, there was 2010. He always brings up 2010.

ALL FOR AUBURN

“I went to Wrights Mill Road Elementary that year, and the cheerleaders would come to my school,” Ben said.

Then someone else started coming — Cam Newton. The eventual Heisman Trophy winner, who went on to lead the Tigers to a national championship, made Wrights Mill Road his go-to destination for community outreach events. He’d show up for pep rallies. The class Christmas card with the photo of Cam on one side? Ben still has it.

“That year, I got to see what it was like being a part of the Auburn Family in just a really powerful way,” Ben said. “But I liked the idea of being able to do that from a different perspective.”

When it came time to practice for his new gig, he returned to the same glorious well. David said he saw his son studying broadcasts of the 2010 season like a coach studies game film, deciding which cheers he would have done in certain situations.

Maybe it’s the engineer in him, he said. The curiosity that had him taking apart laptops and any machine he could get his hands on as a kid. He knew how the Auburn spirit worked on the outside — as a fan, as a student. But after those two minutes as an honorary cheerleader on the floor of Neville Arena, he wanted to learn it from the inside.

And what he learned starting with Auburn football’s 2024 season opener against Alabama State, he wouldn’t trade for the world.

On Aug. 31, Ben had his Hall’s cherry cough drops, he had his cheer cheat sheet and he had a new sense of purpose.

“It was amazing,” he said. “Our fans showed up like they always do. Doing this — being on the other side of things — has been so rewarding. I’m doing it because this is my home, and being able to support it in a new way and give back to basically the family that raised me is just amazing.”

His dad beams. It’s great to be an Auburn Tiger.

And this year, more than ever, it’s great to be a Timm in Auburn.

“Ben and I are both very grateful that we’re simultaneously experiencing such unique opportunities to take a larger role in Auburn’s story, which is now our story,” David said. “I’m getting to play a critical role in the larger enterprise of our department, in the college and in the university, and he’s now a part of something that is so recognizable, something that really impacts the Auburn Family in a positive way.”

In other words, all for Auburn?

Ben smiles.

“Stand up and holler.”

SCAN THE QR CODE

Watch the video about Ben Timm

2024-25 Auburn University mic-man Ben Timm poses with his family — sister Allison above, parents David and Jenny below — on gameday. Allison is a 2022 Auburn aerospace engineering graduate. Jenny Timm is the Auburn Cares coordinator in the Office of Student Affairs.

Preparing for the future

ICAMS teams with Bird Inc. to prepare middle-schoolers for the manufacturing careers

By Dustin Duncan

The manufacturing industry is projected to have two million job vacancies by 2025. The Interdisciplinary Center for Advanced Manufacturing Systems (ICAMS) aims to change that statistic.

Armed with a $1.7 million award from the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), ICAMS plans to visit more than 28,000 sixth-grade students in Alabama throughout the next two years with the revival of the Bird Inc. program.

What is Bird Inc.?

Bird Inc. is a 50-minute classroom activity that simulates a manufacturing environment created by John Cranston in 1996 to broaden students’ perspectives on potential manufacturing jobs after high school.

Students participate in a classroom business, which includes roles such as company president; sales and marketing professional; engineer; tool and die machinist; technician; and quality control specialist. The rest of the class acts as potential investors.

According to Kyle Castellano, Bird Inc. program manager, the classroom activity is primarily a handson manufacturing activity, where students learn to mix chemicals, pour them into molds and calculate

production rates and costs. The hands-on approach is to not only teach practical skills but also foster teamwork and problem-solving as students navigate the challenges of running a business.

At the end of the activity, students produce a rigid foam polyurethane decoy owl using a two-piece mold developed by ICAMS and determine whether their business was booming.

“We teach them important business concepts they can use in their lives, such as profit and loss, marketing and manufacturing real products,” Cranston said.

Bird Inc. was made possible after President Bill Clinton signed the School-to-Work Opportunities Act in 1994. Cranston presented the program from 1994-2004 with funding from the University of Alabama in Huntsville and then continued it independently until 2008.

ICAMS revived the program in 2023 as a beta project at J.F. Drake Middle School in Auburn. The program introduced more than 700 sixth-graders to concepts related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics jobs.

Castellano said one of the critical aspects of the activity is the realistic business simulation. Students quickly

John Cranston, founder of Bird Inc. and current state program coordinator, demonstrates to a student at Drake Middle School in Auburn how to correctly mix materials to create a polyurethane decoy owl during the Bird Inc. 50-minute activity.

learn the financial implications of their decisions, such as setting salaries and managing production costs. This often leads to lively discussions and problem-solving sessions where they must figure out how to keep their fictional company profitable.

The project also emphasizes the importance of having a backup plan. Presenters encourage students to consider alternative educational paths, such as technical schools or trade certifications, if traditional college routes do not work out.

Manufacturing Focused

Greg Harris, director of ICAMS and chair of the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, said value is created in manufacturing.

“We take ideas and raw materials and turn them into products people desire and pay for through manufacturing processes,” he said. “Innovation takes place where the work is done. We need to share these ideas with students and allow them to choose careers

in this value-creating industry. Bird Inc. is a great way to introduce the next generation of the workforce to the manufacturing business enterprise.”

With the new DOD grant, Bird Inc. will be showcased in two Alabama Workforce development regions: Region 1 (North Alabama) and Region 5 (East Central Alabama).

According to Castellano, ICAMS hopes to reach 48.5% of Region 1’s and 75% of Region 5’s sixth-grade populations in the next two years.

“There is a lack of people entering the manufacturing field in this country, and we need more individuals in this sector for national security reasons — to support projects that require American workers for American DOD projects,” Castellano said.

Harris said the U.S. industrial base is the foundation of the country’s freedom.

“We learned during the pandemic that it is detrimental to our society when we cannot manufacture the things

John Cranston uses power tools in a Drake Middle School classroom to show how to mix materials to create a polyurethane decoy owl. ↘

we need,” he said. “A strong industrial base is necessary to ensure we are ready when the country needs our manufacturing capabilities to provide the systems required for national security.”

Structure of the Program

Cranston will stay on the project as the state coordinator. He will help hire and train three additional presenters to travel around the workforce development areas to deliver the program. His role will also include developing a sustainability plan to expand Bird Inc. into additional Alabama regions and other states.

Castellano said ICAMS will create a Bird Inc. organizational structure and playbook to show how the program works and why it is vital to move forward. He said the playbook is essential for the program to grow not only into a state program but also a national program.

The key to the playbook is the presentation kit, which includes the aluminum mold, liquid foam and other materials.

Top: polyurethane mixture is poured into the molding to harden. Eventually, the result will be a polyurethane decoy owl.

Bottom: John Cranston, founder of Bird Inc. and current state program coordinator, uses power tools in a Drake Middle School classroom to explain to students how to create the polyurethane decoy owl.

History of Bird Inc.

Bird Inc. stems from Cranston’s lifelong goal of complementing skills with the correct education. After graduating high school during the Vietnam War, he tried college for the first time but felt that sitting through lectures and seminars wasn’t working for him.

“I’m kind of a hands-on learning kind of guy. Sitting and listening to lectures was driving me nuts,” Cranston said.

After two years, he quit college and joined the Army. After serving his country, he moved to the Rocket City, but knew he needed to finish his education to support his growing family. However, after one quarter at the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), he dropped out again. He found success owning a business in the leather craftsman trade, but the country’s economy in

the 1980s forced him to pursue other options. He tried college two more times and still didn’t finish.

Eventually, he accepted a job as a technician at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. After 10 years, he was the lead technician, and his lab had a few pending patents on products flying in space.

However, because he didn’t have a college degree, he was told his salary wouldn’t increase without a degree.

Finally, on his fifth attempt at getting a degree, he graduated. His salary doubled immediately.

Cranston had a patent on a foam for the Marshall Space Flight Center’s external tank program. While working with another company, he was developing molds to create a rapid prototype of a crow. That was the spark that inspired Bird Inc.

“I said to myself, ‘I got this mold and this foam. I’m going to combine the two and come up with this manufacturing idea in a classroom and do it in 50 minutes,’” Cranston said. “So, we called it Bird Inc., the 50-Minute Factory.”

Cranston spoke with more than 20,000 students from 1996-2004 and won numerous awards.

Cranston said he’s thrilled to see something he created more than two decades ago receive significant funding and the potential to grow bigger than ever.

However, he said the program boils down to piquing young students’ interest in something they may not have known was possible.

“I believe that hands-on experience will help a child connect with what they are learning in school,” Cranston said. “I think they need to know — just like anyone in that situation — that they are learning a specific topic for a reason. Once they have a goal in mind, it helps them have a purposeful connection to the content.”

SCAN THE QR CODE

A student at Drake Middle School in Auburn holds a polyurethane decoy owl.

Watch the video about Bird Inc.

Pictured is the final result of the 50-minute Bird Inc. activity — a polyurethane decoy owl. The program plans to reach more than 28,000 sixth-graders in Alabama throughout the next two years.

Kevin Harwood '07

Wireless Engineering / CTO Tecovas

By Bethany Giles

What brought you to Auburn to study engineering?

I grew up in a family of Alabama fans, but all of my close friends were Auburn fans. One of my friends’ families brought me to several Auburn games each year, and that’s when I fell in love with the school. The city, the atmosphere, the people — everything about Auburn felt right for me. I knew early on that I wanted to go to Auburn.

In high school, I always dabbled with computers and programming. I remember getting my start programming on my TI-89 calculator during math class, and from that moment, I knew I wanted to pursue software engineering.

The timing was perfect because Auburn had just launched its wireless engineering program right before I started. The program aligned perfectly with my interests, especially as I saw the potential in the rapidly evolving wireless space. I was also fortunate to earn a Vodafone scholarship for wireless engineering, which allowed me to attend Auburn on a full scholarship and focus fully on my education and passion for technology.

What is the most important lesson you learned while at Auburn?

Always be willing to hear new information and adapt your thoughts.

It’s my JOB

Technology is always evolving, and that lesson has stuck with me throughout my career. Whether it’s staying on top of the latest trends or experimenting with emerging technologies like AI, I’m constantly consuming new information and looking for ways to apply it in meaningful ways. In a fast-moving space, you have to keep evolving if you want to stay ahead.

Tell us about your current role as the chief technology officer at Tecovas.

I’m responsible for overseeing all technology and systems rolled out across the entire company. This includes everything from our website and the content

management systems that power it daily, to the technology driving our retail operations—such as our point of sale (POS) and radio frequency identification (RFID) inventory systems. Essentially, technology touches every part of the business, and it’s my job to ensure that all these systems work together.

One project I’m proud of is the launch of our ship-from-store initiative. This was a significant cross-functional effort and required collaboration with Shopify to ensure we had the right functionality in place. The impact on customer experience has been huge.

It’s a win-win for both the company and our customers.

How have you managed to successfully apply your skill set across different industries?

My background in wireless software engineering has given me the opportunity to make an impact across multiple industries early in my career. The variety of clients I worked with early on greatly expanded my problem-solving skills. I was exposed to a wide range of industries, integrations and consumer challenges, which forced me to think creatively and develop solutions across different spaces.

I believe my two greatest strengths are my ability to lead by example and solve complex problems, and those are skills I’ve honed across every industry I’ve worked. Whether in technology, retail or

elsewhere, those abilities have helped me deliver results and grow as a leader.

What makes working in the apparel industry as an engineer unique?

On the surface, many directto-consumer (DTC) apparel companies don’t appear to be technology companies in the traditional sense—especially when compared to the tech startups you might find in Silicon Valley. But in reality, DTC startups rely on a variety of technologies to drive their business, and there’s a tremendous opportunity to transform these companies into “technologydriven” organizations.

One of the unique challenges in this industry is recognizing the impact that technology can have and identifying the right problems to solve. The goal is to implement systems that empower employees to be more strategic in their dayto-day decisions. I aim to bring together technologies that make the easy things easy and the hard things possible, allowing teams to focus on high-value work rather than getting bogged down by inefficiencies.

Another unique aspect of working in the apparel industry is the connection between technology and physical products. In retail, for example, deploying an RFID system to manage inventory almost feels like magic when you see it in action. There’s something very rewarding about building and scaling systems to support major events like Black

Friday and Cyber Monday, knowing that everything has to work seamlessly under high pressure.

At the end of the day, the most fulfilling part is seeing how passionate people are about the products we create. When you see customers connecting with something like western culture and cowboy boots, it makes the work feel incredibly worthwhile.

What is the most satisfying part of your job?

There are a few things that really stand out to me. First, laying out a strategy and implementing it piece by piece is incredibly rewarding. I’m a builder at heart, and seeing things come together, come to life and actually solve real problems is always a shot of adrenaline. It’s not just about the end result, but the process of building something from the ground up that makes a meaningful impact.

I also take a lot of pride in leading small teams of passionate builders. Coming to work every day with a group of people who embrace challenges and seek out solutions is invigorating. It really drives an amazing team culture when everyone is pushing forward, tackling problems and finding innovative ways to move the company forward. That collective energy and shared passion for solving complex problems is what makes the job so fulfilling for me.

Student / BE THE CREED

I BELIEVE IN EDUCATION, WHICH GIVES ME THE KNOWLEDGE TO WORK WISELY AND TRAINS MY MIND AND HANDS TO WORK SKILLFULLY.

By Jeremy Henderson

JADA

NEAL Senior / Biosystems Engineering

Small-town girl. Big ambitions. It’s a timeless tale, and Jada Neal is living it out one extra mile at a time.

Through undergraduate research and leadership roles in multiple student organizations, the bioprocess engineering senior from the tiny town of Verbena has built a personal brand out of going above and beyond.

This summer, “beyond” meant an internship in Connecticut with consumer goods giant Unilever, which offered Neal a glimpse into her dream job — starting a skin care brand.

“It was a true learning experience from start to finish and aligned with my long-term career plans,” Neal said. “I had the privilege of taking part in the research and

development of new technology for hair care products and was able to present groundbreaking results.”

It wasn’t easy, but Neal said she wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I have a passion for making an impact, and I try to seize every opportunity and make the most of every connection,” Neal said.

“Hard work is rewarding and leaves no room for regrets, so I don’t mind going the extra mile. That mentality comes from my upbringing, and it’s been nurtured in college. Auburn has kept me challenged and provided a support network that sets me up to be a pioneer in any field,” she added.

Faculty / BE THE CREED

I BELIEVE IN MY COUNTRY, BECAUSE IT IS A LAND OF FREEDOM AND BECAUSE IT IS MY OWN HOME, AND THAT I CAN BEST SERVE THAT COUNTRY BY "DOING JUSTLY, LOVING MERCY, AND WALKING HUMBLY WITH MY GOD."

By Joe McAdory

DEAN HENDRIX

Associate Dean / Undergraduate Studies and Program Assessment

Leadership by example is paramount to Dean Hendrix.

So is making a positive impact.

He’s had the opportunity to display both as an Auburn Engineering faculty member for 28 years, and he’s eager to show them again as the college’s new associate dean for undergraduate studies and program assessment.

“I’d never ask someone to do something I haven’t already been doing or wouldn’t do myself. I’m happy to jump right in and help,” said Hendrix, who previously served as associate department chair and director of undergraduate programs in the Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering until assuming the new role on Aug. 1. “As a leader, it’s important to ask questions, such as ‘What roadblocks are in your way to doing this well and how can I help?’”

Hendrix pivoted from opportunities in industry to pursue a career in higher education because he simply “loved to learn.”

“Higher education provided that path,” he said. “Along the way, I realized you really learn something when you teach somebody else.

“Auburn Engineering has so much going for it, but the crown jewel of the college is our students. We can’t lose sight of that. I’m excited about providing our students more opportunities — academically or facilities or whatever,” he added.

I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A PRACTICAL WORLD AND THAT I CAN COUNT ONLY ON WHAT I EARN. THEREFORE, I BELIEVE IN WORK, HARD WORK. Staff / BE THE CREED

By Austin Phillips

JESSICA TAYLOR '09

Director / Recruitment, Outreach and Scholarships

When Jessica Taylor encounters a prospective student on a tour of the college, she understands where they're coming from. That’s because she’s been there before. Taylor, ’09 polymer and fiber engineering, began her career at Auburn as a recruiter, which came naturally to the Auburn graduate. During her time as a student, she was involved in nearly everything: Student Recruiters, SGA, Freshman Forum… you name it, she was in it.

Taylor now spends her days serving as the director of the college’s Office of Recruitment, Outreach and Scholarships. In that role, she is responsible for the college’s undergraduate recruitment efforts, K-12 outreach programs and awarding more than $6 million in engineering scholarships annually. In addition, she also recently served as the interim director of the college’s Center for Inspiring Engineering Excellence program aimed at underrepresented students.

“As a graduate and now a member of the staff, I truly believe in the impact we’re making on the world as

Auburn engineers,” Taylor said.

The relationships she is able to build with the students is what she treasures the most.

“I meet them as prospective students and watch them succeed as graduates. I love to get invited to their weddings, have them come by my office when they are in town visiting as alumni, and now I get to watch them engage their young children in our outreach programs. The Auburn Engineering family is so special,” Taylor said. “I am thankful to work alongside an amazing team who works tirelessly to build a pipeline of future Auburn Engineers through our recruiting, outreach and scholarship programs.”

While she’s seen unparalleled growth and change in the college during her years on the Plains, she can’t imagine being anywhere else.

“This is the best job in the entire world,” Taylor said.

Alumni / BE THE CREED

I BELIEVE IN HONESTY AND TRUTHFULNESS, WITHOUT WHICH I CANNOT WIN THE RESPECT AND CONFIDENCE OF MY FELLOW MEN.

By Bethany Giles

TONY SMOKE '84

Electrical Engineering

Retired Vice President / Alabama Power Company

Tony Smoke was the first person in his family to attend college, and he is committed to making that jump possible for tomorrow’s engineers through his family scholarship in the College of Engineering.

After graduating in 1984 with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, Smoke began working at Alabama Power, where he co-opped throughout his time at Auburn.

During his 42-year career, he held positions across the board. Smoke quickly moved up the ranks to his final position as vice president of marketing and economic development until his retirement in July 2023.

Of all the challenges Smoke faced during his career, the most impactful were the ones he couldn’t solve.

“As engineers, we spend a lot of time learning how to solve problems,” he said. “The most eye-opening moments for me in my career were when I wasn’t the one figuring out the answer, and I had to rely on others. That’s when I really learned how to function on a team. The ability to motivate and utilize people may be the best skill of all.”

And it’s always a bonus if those people are Auburn Tigers.

“No matter where you are, if you see someone with an Auburn ball cap on and you give them a ‘War Eagle,’ it immediately puts you back in Auburn. It’s just a good down-home feeling when you see someone else from the Auburn Family,” Smoke said.

AEROSPACE

Materials studies lead to early faculty career awards

By Dustin Duncan

Vinamra Agrawal

Assistant Professor 334-844-5110

Vza0013@auburn.edu aub.ie/VAgrawal

Two assistant professors in the Department of Aerospace Engineering were recently awarded prestigious early career awards for their research.

Vinamra Agrawal earned a faculty early career development grant from the National Science Foundation and Davide Guzzetti was awarded a NASA Early Career Faculty grant.

Nanocrystalline Alloys in Harsh Environments

Agrawal’s research, titled “Investigating the role of microstructure in the high strain rate behavior of stable nanocrystalline alloys,” will go toward the study of stable nanocrystalline alloys and its performance in

Davide Guzzetti

Assistant Professor 334-844-5277

guzzetti@auburn.edu aub.ie/DGuzzetti

harsh environments to determine whether it is a viable candidate for materials for structural components.

Agrawal has been studying materials exposed to extreme environments since he was a graduate student at the California Institute of Technology and said that orbital debris and micrometeorite impact are common considerations when designing missions.

Another portion of his award is educational, as he is working to develop a novel platform called Mechblocks, which uses Lego-like blocks to demonstrate concepts in mechanics and materials science.

Agrawal will partner with local science museums and children’s centers, using Mechblocks, to expose K-12

students, parents and educators to materials, mechanics and structures that will help train the next generation of the STEM workforce.

“It’s difficult to convey these ideas in an exciting way,” Agrawal said. “These blocks provide a hands-on experience for students to see what happens when you’re breaking something.”

Orbital Debris Remediation

Guzzetti has earned a NASA Early Career Faculty award to research how to remediate the accumulation of smaller pieces of orbital debris.

His project, “Metamaterial particles for orbital environment remediation,” spans three years and will research the feasibility of developing technology to deploy dust clouds to intercept small debris to reduce its altitude by inducing drag.

While still in the early phases of researching the topic and possibility of a solution, Guzzetti envisions the distribution of engineered particulates in targeted

regions of space to bring debris to the Earth’s atmosphere.

According to Guzzetti, there are currently two important categories of debris.

There is larger debris, usually larger than 10 centimeters in diameter. These are typically trackable and could potentially be physically captured. Smaller debris, less than one centimeter in size, is more prevalent and more challenging to detect and track.

“What we are trying to solve is how to actively remove those smaller debris or facilitate their reentry into the atmosphere,” Guzzetti said.

Though Guzzetti said there may not be a single answer to the orbital debris remediation challenge, he is still excited to join the attempt at solving the issue, as well as help students obtain research experience.

“This allows me to engage with minds brighter than mine on these problems and expose them to orbital mechanics and the complexity of space,” he said.

BIOSYSTEMS

Reimagining sustainable development of plastic materials

By Jeremy Henderson

For Auburn’s Center for Bioenergy and Bioproducts (CBB), things are coming up roses... and ryegrass.

That’s one of the model crops CBB researchers, along with a team of academic collaborators from the University of Delaware, New Mexico State University, Ireland and Northern Ireland, will use for a $1 million U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) project testing the efficacy of a dual-function biochar substrate — duo-biochar they’re calling it — that captures excess phosphorus in soils and releases it slowly to meet plant needs.

The main idea is to ultimately keep the stuff out of oceans and lakes where too much phosphorus runoff from increasingly expensive synthetic fertilizers contributes to those large, oxygen-deprived “dead zones” — the Gulf of Mexico has one the size of New Jersey — you read about in the news.

“Biochar is a material made from plants through the thermochemical conversion of biomass,” said CBB director Sushil Adhikari, Alumni Professor in the Department of Biosystems Engineering.

“It has micro-, meso- and macro-pore networks, functional groups and inorganic compounds that can absorb phosphorus. However, regular biochar isn’t usually made to distribute phosphorus to plants because fundamental science on the transient nutrient retention and release of biochar is lacking,” he added.

At least, it’s lacking for now.

“Over the next year, our team will use state-of-the-art material characterization techniques to gain insight into slow phosphorus release properties in greenhouses and field trials conducted in Ireland and Northern Ireland,” Adhikari said.

Sushil Adhikari

Professor

Director, Center for Bioenergy and Bioproducts

334-844-3543

Sza0016@auburn.edu aub.ie/SAdhikari

Wendiam Sawadgo

Assistant Professor

334-844-3538

wendiam@auburn.edu

aub.ie/WSawadgo

Hossein Jahromi

Assistant Professor

334-844-1034

Hzj0048@auburn.edu aub.ie/HJahromi

In the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, recent studies show high legacy phosphorus, applications saturating soils with phosphorus, which increasingly threatens water quality in the countries’ lakes.

Adhikari serves as the project’s principal investigator; co-PIs are Wendiam Sawadgo, extension professor in the College of Agriculture, and Hossein Jahromi, assistant research professor in the Department of Biosystems Engineering.

“Expanding the utility of biochar also has the potential to sequester carbon while providing agronomic benefits,” Adhikari said. “We feel this project can also help reduce the agriculture sector’s carbon footprint and address the impacts of climate change.”

CHEMICAL

Reimagining sustainable development of plastic materials

By Joe McAdory

Mismanaged micro- and nano-plastics can threaten health and the environment. Three researchers in Auburn University’s Department of Chemical Engineering — Assistant Professor Symone Alexander, Department Chair Selen Cremaschi and Associate Professor Zhihua Jiang — offer solutions that could reimagine the sustainable development of plastic materials; address plastic waste challenges and its climate/health impacts; and build community climate resilience while advancing social and environmental justice in Mississippi and Alabama.

Their multi-disciplinary study, “Advancing social and environmental equity through plastics research: education, innovation and inclusion” (ASPIRE), is a collaborative effort with researchers from the University of Southern Mississippi, and part of a four-year, $4 million National Science Foundation — Department of Energy Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research R-II Track-2 grant. These grants are awarded to researchers looking to advance climate change research and resilience capacity to expand opportunities for disproportionately affected communities.

“We’ve heard of islands of trash in the ocean, but what we don’t see are micro- and nano-plastics,” said Alexander, Auburn’s principal investigator (PI).

“Those are the very small particles that can easily be ingested by fish and marine animals, which we, as humans, ingest. This can lead to bioaccumulation that can cause other health issues which aren’t well studied.”

ASPIRE will develop advanced detection methods to analyze microplastic contamination in field and aquaculture samples, utilize novel methods to extend the lifespan and improve the performance of recycled products for sustained use and design recyclable polymer thermosets using sustainable, bio-derived building blocks to establish chemistry-structureproperty relationships.

Zhihua Jiang

Auburn Pulp and Paper Foundation Associate Professor

Director, Alabama Center for Paper and Bioresource Engineering

334-844-7829

Zzj0012@auburn.edu aub.ie/ZJiang

Symone Alexander

Assistant Professor

334-844-8626

Sla0044@auburn.edu aub.ie/SAlexander

Selen Cremaschi

Department Chair

B. Redd & Susan W. Redd Eminent Scholar Chair Professor 334-844-4970

Szc0113@auburn.edu aub.ie/SCremaschi

They also want to address the lack of recyclable materials known as thermosets, like rubber and epoxy, which cannot be melted and formed into new materials after use.

How? With dynamic compatibilizers and lignin, an organic polymer found in plants that Alexander considers, “the glue that holds cellulose together.” In this case, lignin can be used to hold materials — such as plastics — together.

As a co-PI on the project, Cremaschi focuses on design optimization to assess economic feasibility and improve the competitiveness of the team’s proposed solutions to the problem.

“Our role — working with collaborators — is to perform a techno-economic analysis to assess competitiveness of our proposed solutions among each other and against existing technologies,” she said. “Once we have the models in place for simulation of the processes, then we quickly study different processes to improve the technoeconomic competitiveness of our solutions.”

Jiang, director of the Alabama Center for Paper and Bioresource Engineering, will serve as a senior personnel on the project and brings his vast understanding of lignin and experience in lignin separation to identify efficient lignin extraction processes.

Other ASPIRE thrusts include technology transfer and educational components in Mississippi and Alabama.

“We will both be working with industry partners for technology transfer, but we also want to showcase the latest technologies for these coastal communities,” Alexander added, citing the Gulf Blue Initiative, a University of Southern Mississippi program which

“pools the knowledge of research scientists, federal agencies, industry partners and entrepreneurs to further develop the region as a global leader in ocean- and maritime-related technologies.”

Alexander is excited to make an impact on industry, society and health.

“Many of these health concerns affect people who look like me, or who come from a similar economic background,” she said. “They don’t always receive the same level of rigorous filtration when it comes to treating drinking water, or when it comes to addressing the lack of employment.

“It’s extremely important to me because communities that aren’t well served in terms of city planning, drinking water or availability of resources suffer most from health impacts related to pollution. A large part of this project is leading more in-depth studies on the impact of plastic pollution on waterways and health of coastal communities in Mississippi and Alabama.”

CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL

Safeguarding the Gulf Coast ecosystem

By Dustin Duncan

Shiqiang Zou

Assistant Professor

334-844-6393

shiqiang@auburn.edu

aub.ie/SZou

Stormwater runoff from urbanized areas flows directly into streams, creeks, rivers, lakes and oceans, carrying excessive pollutants including nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus.

Shiqiang Zou, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering (CEE) and Michael Perez, associate professor in CEE, are collaborating on a three-year, $1.3 million project supported by the Environmental Protection Agency to upgrade geotextiles to filter excessive nutrients from stormwater runoff into the Gulf Coast ecosystem.

Zou said the project’s groundbreaking nature arises from its innovative design of a polylactic acid, bioplastic-

Michael A. Perez

Brasfield & Gorrie

Associate Professor 334-844-6267

Map0032@auburn.edu

aub.ie/MPerez

based geotextile embedded with metal oxides, which will remove phosphorus from stormwater runoff.

Phosphorus and other nutrients can fuel the growth of harmful algal blooms that deplete oxygen levels, disrupt aquatic ecosystems and endanger aquatic life.

While geotextiles are used at construction and industrial sites, Zou said they are primarily employed to control soil erosion while allowing rainwater runoff.

“If we can repurpose those geotextiles to not only prevent soil erosion but also use them as filters to retain nutrients in the water and prevent them from reaching the Gulf Coast, we would kill two birds with one stone,” Zou said.

COMPUTER SCIENCE AND SOFTWARE

Combating cancer subtype misdiagnoses with data science

By Joe McAdory

Tin Nguyen

Associate Professor 334-844-4359

tinn@auburn.edu

aub.ie/TNguyen

More than 40,000 patients across the nation could die each year as a result of misdiagnoses — with 37.8 percent of those related to cancer, a British Medical Journal study revealed. A diagnosis, followed by treatment, for one cancer subtype might not be suitable for another.

Tin Nguyen, however, has a proposal. Not with novel treatment methods or medicine. Not with laboratory testing that’s capable of targeting specific genes. And not with specialized, high-tech medical equipment. Instead, Nguyen prefers a computer. A big computer.

The outcome: fewer fatalities, less suffering and reduced health care costs.

Nguyen earned a three-year, $1.2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to find an ideal means of diagnosing cancer subtypes by means of data analysis — crunching years’ worth of discoveries and experiments and apply those to patients’ personalized pathway profiles. The result will create, among other deliverables, a complete analysis pipeline and web application able to integrate studies from multiple focuses.

“With computer science, you can collect data from multiple cancer-related experiments from the past decades and put them together,” said Nguyen, associate professor in the Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering and director of the Bioinformatics Lab at Auburn University.

“My solution is that we put data collected from these experiments into one analysis. That way we are not biased toward any study, and we are not biased toward any method or any type of molecular data. We can potentially have a complete picture. Then we can try to see treatments, or diseases, from many different aspects that one experimenter cannot do.”

ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER

Exploring security solutions for semiconductor supply chains

By Joe McAdory

Ujjwal Guin

Godbold Associate Professor 334-844-1835

Ujjwal.guin@auburn.edu aub.ie/UGuin

Rapid advancements in the semiconductor industry have enabled the broad adoption of electronics into multiple sectors of society, including commercial, industrial and defense spaces, often improving quality of life while increasing business efficiency. That’s the good news.

The globalization of electronics, however, opens a Pandora’s box of threats with untrusted products, counterfeit integrated circuits, intellectual property piracy, cloning and other malicious modifications. That’s the bad news.

Ujjwal Guin, the Godbold Associate Professor of electrical and computer engineering, has an idea that could help resolve some of these potential issues. His co-authored

proposal, “Securing semiconductor supply chains and networks using zero-knowledge proofs and blockchain,” earned a $1.8 million grant from the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFSOR). He is joined by co-PIs from the University of Southern California, Cornell and TelAviv Universities.

“The primary objective of this proposal is to develop novel solutions using zero-knowledge proofs and blockchain technologies to enable security in electronic hardware, as well as to enable routing data securely over dynamic communication networks,” Guin said.

“Our objective is to integrate zero-knowledge proofs into blockchain to address various hardware and network threats.”

Guin said these proofs help secure the Internet of Things and cyber-physical systems against malicious adversaries by creating zero-knowledge properties, allowing an adversary to “learn nothing.” In the meantime, the proof protocol “can effectively identify the adversaries with inherent properties.”

INDUSTRIAL AND SYSTEMS

Predicting additive manufacturing fatigue through deep learning

By Jeremy Henderson

Jia (Peter) Liu

Assistant Professor 334-844-1428

Lzj0040@auburn.edu aub.ie/JLiu

Five years ago, GE Aerospace transitioned to using additive manufacturing (AM) for its new catalyst turboprop engine, which meant that 800 traditionally manufactured components were consolidated into just 12 metal AM parts. In that time, the development cycle was dropped to two years, the engine weight reduced by 5% and the fuel consumption improved by 1%. For G.E., that’s a big deal.

If other U.S. aircraft manufacturers went the same route, that would be big deal for the planet.

There’s a reason AM research across the globe is expected to push $24 billion by 2027, and the revolutionary impact on the aviation industry is one of them. Experts estimate

that substantial adoption of 3D-printed parts could knock 200 million gallons off of annual aviation fuel consumption. If the parts work.

Despite the demonstrated success of metal additive manufacturing in various industries, the performance uncertainty of AM parts undermines the potential of deploying AM for high-consequence applications, such as air travel and space travel.

That is why the National Science Foundation is turning to Peter Liu, assistant professor of industrial and systems engineering, in the form of a $500,000 CAREER Award meant to generate new insight into defect formation relevant to fatigue performance of parts manufactured through laser powder-bed fusion and uncover the synergistic impacts of multi-scale factors on fatigue fractures. Liu’s project will establish a physics-centric, machine learning framework for fatigue life predictions, serving as a technological foundation for future metal AM production of dynamic load-bearing applications and establishment of a resilient and reconfigurable supply chain, enhancing the competitiveness of U.S. industry.

MATERIALS

Synthesizing 2D materials for novel energy applications

By Jeremy Henderson

Konstantin Klyukin

Assistant Professor 334-844-4877

kylukin@auburn.edu

aub.ie/KKlyukin

The National Science Foundation awarded Konstantin Klyukin, assistant professor of materials engineering, $1.2 million through its Designing Materials to Revolutionize and Engineer our Future program, which funds research into “novel materials to address grand societal challenges.” And these days, few materials are more novel — or hold more potential for addressing societal challenges — than 2D materials.

“Materials such as graphene and MXenes usually serve as building blocks for many technologies, including batteries, computing devices, wearable nanoelectronics, purification membranes and sensors,” Klyukin said. “The discovery of graphene won the Nobel Prize, and the possibilities of other major discoveries such as MXenes

and transition-metal dichalcogenides always sparks a lot of excitement in the scientific communities.”

The goal of Klyukin’s project, “Computationally driven discovery and synthesis of 2D materials through selective etching,” is to spark even more.

“I’m aiming to expand beyond the commonly studied 2D materials with weak interlayer interactions through selective electrochemical extraction of atoms from layered 3D structures,” he said.

Klyukin said the project will draw upon the expertise of a multidisciplinary team of chemists, physicists and materials scientists utilizing state-of-the-art computational, experimental and machine-learning techniques in a closed-loop paradigm inspired by the Materials Genome Initiative.

“This funding provides an opportunity for us to advance the synthesis of existing 2D materials and hopefully accelerate the discovery of novel 2D materials that can revolutionize everyday technologies,” Klyukin said.

MECHANICAL

Auburn institute’s FHE reputation underscored with multiple winning additively manufactured electronic proposals

By Jeremy Henderson

Pradeep Lall

John and Anne MacFarlane

Distinguished Professor

Alumni Professor Director, Electronic Packaging Research Institute 334-844-3424 lall@auburn.edu aub.ie/PLall

If you’re trying to gauge Auburn’s preeminence in harsh environment electronics resiliency development and flexible hybrid electronics (FHE) research, look no further than the latest project call of the NextFlex National Manufacturing Institute.

In the Project Call 7 competition, there were two winning Auburn proposals.

In the current Project Call 8? Three, collectively funded at $2.5 million with 1:1 cost-share — all focused on additively manufactured (AM) FHE, all competitively won by teams led by Pradeep Lall, the MacFarlane Distinguished Professor and Alumni Professor of

mechanical engineering and director of Auburn University Electronics Packaging Research Institute (EPRI).

Under Lall’s 15-year leadership, Auburn's FHE work has grown exponentially. In 2015, he led the Auburn team contributing to the winning proposal that resulted in the foundation of the NextFlex National Manufacturing Institute. Auburn is a tier-1 founding member of NextFlex, whose mission is to advance U.S. manufacturing of FHE; Lall serves on the NextFlex technical council and has previously served on the governing council of the institute.

The design of electronics for operation in harsh environments has long been an area of EPRI. While earning an international reputation for designing electronics for operation in harsh environments relative to automotive, military, defense and downhole applications, Lall has also accelerated the growth of the flexible hybrid electronics industry itself. He expects the three programs to also benefit EPRI's leading work toward developing FHE reliability standards.

Sathyanarayanan Aakur, assistant professor in computer science and software engineering, was elevated to Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) senior member status and named associate editor for Pattern Recognition. Aakur co-chaired the IEEE/Computer Vision Foundation Conference on Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition (CVPR) and served as area chair for top-tier AI and data science conferences such as IEEE/CVF CVPR, the British Machine Vision Conference, IEEE/CVF Winter Conference on the Applications of Computer Vision, the Advances in Neural Information Processing Systems and the International Conference on Data Science and the Management of Data.

J. Brian Anderson, professor (geotechnical) in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, received the National Civil Engineering Honor Society’s National Faculty Advisor Award at its National Virtual Convention this past April. The convention, hosted by the organization’s Auburn Chapter, allowed delegates from 50 chapters across the United States to engage with one another.

Symone Alexander, assistant professor in chemical engineering, was appointed to the Journal of the American Chemical Society Au Early Career Advisory Board. The open-access multi-disciplinary journal is devoted to publishing manuscripts reporting significant research discoveries in all fields of chemistry.

Bryan Beckingham, the Mary and John H. Sanders Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering and director of the Center for Polymers and Advanced Composites, received a Le Studium visiting researcher fellowship at the University of Orleans (France) from September 2024 to July 2025. His project, “Leveraging tunability of copolymer gradients during polymer synthesis to advance understanding of polymer self-assembly in confirmed geometries,” is expected to advance the understanding of fundamental self-assembly processes and reorganization by solvent-vapor annealing enabling a priori design of future materials and leverage this control to fabricate porous polymer thin films as nanomaterial templates with controlled special morphology.

Lauren Beckingham, the W. Allen and Martha Reed Associate Professor and Associate Chair in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, received a Le Studium visiting researcher fellowship at the University of Orleans (France) from September 2024 to July 2025. Her project, “Multiscale observation and simulation of mineral reactions in subsurface energy systems,” is expected to yield unprecedented understanding and simulation of mineral reaction mechanisms and rates in diverse environments pertinent for subsurface energy systems.

Ben Bowers, the McCartney-Chase Highway Engineering Distinguished Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, earned a $167,631 grant from the Virginia Department of Transportation to study the resilience of full-depth reclamation pavement mixtures to flood inundation.

John Cochran, professor emeritus of aerospace engineering, was awarded membership into the Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics Academy of Distinguished Alumni in the Cockrell School of Engineering at the University of Texas-Austin.

Selen Cremaschi, chemical engineering department chair and the B. Redd and Susan W. Redd Eminent Scholar Chair Professor, was accepted into the 2025 Leadership Institute, a leadership development program for higher education professionals. She also co-edited a new book, “Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Foundations of Computer-Aided Process Design,” with collaborators from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Coupa Software and Linde.

Pengyu Chen, the Francis Family Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, was awarded $1.9 million by the National Institutes of Health and the National Institutes of General Medical Sciences for his five-year study, “Machine Learning-Assisted Integrated Optofluidic Nano-plasmonic Biosensing for Precision Immune Profiling and Monitoring Source of Support.” This renewal application aims to advance the next generation of immune biosensing by integrating machine learning to enable precision immune profiling and monitoring for better patient care.

Virginia Davis, the Daniel F. and Josephine Breeden Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering, co-founded the Auburn I-STEM Connectory with Mary Lou Ewald, director of outreach at the College of Sciences and Mathematics (COSAM). This center will be a hub for sharing ideas and building capacity in informal STEM education to support Auburn’s mission and Alabama’s workforce development needs. Davis is also principal investigator on a three-year $500K USDA NIFA Professional Development for Agricultural Literacy program grant titled “Project FARM: Fostering Agricultural Research and Mentoring” with co-PIs Jessica Gilpin and Ewald from COSAM, Eve Brantley, professor and extension specialist (water resources) in the College of Agriculture, and Becky Barlow, associate dean for extension and assistant director for agriculture, forestry and natural resource extension programs in the College of Agriculture.

George Flowers, mechanical engineering professor and dean of the Auburn University Graduate School, was presented with the prestigious Holm Scientific Achievement Award at the 69th Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Holm Conference on Electrical Contacts during its Oct. 6-10 convention in Annapolis, Maryland.

Sean Gallagher, professor emeritus in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, earned the International Ergonomics & Human Factors Association Fellow Award. This award is given in recognition of outstanding and sustained performance in the field of ergonomics and human factors at an international level, as well as an extensive publication record in international journals, international consulting or service at a high level.

Ujjwal Guin, the Godbold Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, will co-chair two reputed Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) conferences in 2025. Guin will co-chair the 33rd IEEE Asian Test Symposium in Ahmedabad, India, Dec. 17-20. He will also co-chair the International Symposium on Hardware Oriented Security and Trust, the premier symposium that facilitates the rapid growth of hardware-based security research and development, May 5-8, 2025, in San Jose, California.

Robert Jackson, the Albert J. Smith Jr. Endowed Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, chaired the combined 32nd International Conference on Electrical Contacts and 69th Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Holm Conference on Electrical Contacts held Oct. 6-10 in Annapolis, Maryland.

Edward Huang, associate professor in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, has been invited to serve as an associate editor for Advanced Engineering Informatics (ADVEI), a highly regarded peer-reviewed journal. ADVEI features research that compares, evaluates and summarizes methodologies and representations in engineering informatics, focusing on advancing the integration of artificial intelligence and industrial applications.

Jasmeet Lamba, an associate professor in the Department of Biosystems Engineering, co-authored a paper titled “Application of Sediment Fingerprinting to Apportion Sediment Sources: Using Machine Learning Models.” The paper was published by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) and received the 2024 ASABE Superior Paper Award. Former biosystems engineering graduate student Kritika Malhotra, who recently completed her doctorate under Lamba’s mentorship, was the paper’s lead author. The other co-authors included Jingyi Zheng, an assistant professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, and Ash Abebe, a professor and chair in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.

Elizabeth Lipke, the George E. and Dorothy Stafford Uthlaut Endowed Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering, is a co-principal investigator of a one-year, $350,000 Phase I National Institute of Health Small Business Innovation Research grant, “VivoSpheres: Tissue-Engineered Spheroidal Models for High-Throughput Screening.” The grant is a collaboration between biotech startup VivoSphere and Auburn University.

Masoud Mahjouri-Samani, associate professor in electrical and computer engineering and director of the Auburn University LASE-END lab, was elected as associate editor of the Journal of Laser Micro/Nanoengineering and earned a $270,000 National Science Foundation grant for his collaborative research, “Effect of twist angle on the interfacial thermal conductance of 2D homo- and heterojunctions.”

Joseph Majdalani, the Hugh and Loeda Francis Chair of Excellence in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at Auburn University, was named an American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Fellow at the AIAA Fellow Induction Ceremony and Awards Gala this past May in Washington, D.C.

Shiwen Mao, the Earle C. Williams Eminent Scholar and Director of the Wireless Engineering Research and Education Center, and his doctoral student Ziqi Wang, won the Best Demo Award at the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) International Conference on Computer Communications held this past May in Vancouver, Canada. Mao was also elected as a member-at-large of the IEEE Communications Society’s Board of Governors for 2025-27 and vice president of technical activities of IEEE council on RFID for 2024-26. As an advocate for involvement in professional and educational organizations, Mao has given keynote speeches at six international conferences and workshops since April.

Mark Schall, the Daniel F. & Josephine Breeden Associate Professor in industrial and systems engineering, earned the 2024 International Ergonomics Association/Kingfar Early Career Researcher Award.

Yin Sun, associate professor in electrical and computer engineering, was appointed as an associate editor for the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Transactions on Information Theory journal, effective July 10.

Yazhou Tu, assistant professor in computer science and software engineering, received the Distinguished Paper Award at the 2024 Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Symposium on Security and Privacy in Oakland, California, in May. He serves as the publicity chair and travel grant coordinator for SmartSP 2024/2nd European Alliance for Innovation International Conference on Security and Privacy in Cyber-Physical Systems and Smart Vehicles. He has also been awarded $200,000 in grant funding as a sub-award under the National Science Foundation’s Division of Computer and Network Services.

Adriana Vargas-Nordbeck, associate research professor at the National Center for Asphalt Technology, was awarded $400,000 from the National Cooperative Highway Research Program to develop a field test to determine chip seal aggregate embedment. She was also part of a $1.7 million pooled research fund led by the Minnesota Department of Transportation for the project “National Partnership to Improve the Quality of Preventive Maintenance Treatment Construction & Data Collection Practices.” She was awarded $120,000 by the National Road Research Alliance to investigate the feasibility of using recycled materials in pavement preservation.

Jin Wang, the Walt and Virginia Woltosz Professor of Chemical Engineering, and Peter He, the George E. and Dorothy Stafford Uthlaut Endowed Professor of Chemical Engineering, were issued a U.S. Department of Energy patent titled “Culture Systems and Methods of Using Same,” along with commercial and demonstration plant manager Matthew Hilliard, who earned a doctorate in chemical engineering from Auburn in 2019.

Matthew Yarnold, associate professor in civil and environmental engineering, was awarded $250,000 by the National Cooperative Highway Research Center for his two-year project, “Impact of Bolt Holes on the Performance of Steel Girders.”

Huaguo Zhou, the Elton Z. and Lois G. Huff Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, received the 2024 Auburn Author Award, a High-Value Research Award from the California Department of Transportation and a special projects award in the safety area from the Southern California District Institute of Transportation Engineers.

The AWARD goes to...

Five outstanding engineering alumni and one longtime faculty member of the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering were honored by the Auburn Alumni Engineering Council during a ceremony Friday, Sept. 13, for their distinguished professional careers. These alumni include four who were recognized as Distinguished Auburn Engineers, one as an Outstanding Young Auburn Engineer and a mechanical engineering professor emeritus for Superior Service. The council also honored alumnus Charles Gavin, ’59 textile engineering, received an honorary doctorate of science at the December 2024 commencement ceremonies.

Distinguished Auburn Engineers

Shirley Boulware / ’91 Chemical Engineering

Shirley Boulware is a 1991 graduate with a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering through the pulp and paper option, who also earned her MBA from Auburn University at Montgomery. Boulware currently serves as the vice president of people and culture supporting

wire and cable manufacturing for Southwire Co. In this role, she is the strategic business partner to executive and senior leaders as they support 6,500 team members by recruiting, training, developing and rewarding them to meet business objectives through continuous improvement. She is responsible for developing employees and culture leaders at 19 facilities to become strategic problem-solvers and business partners at a site

level as they work to make Southwire the employer of choice.

Prior to her current role, she served in various roles at Georgia Pacific Corp.: operations business partner, workforce transformation leader, manufacturing recruiting leader and a talent solutions manager for Koch Industries, parent company of Georgia Pacific. She spent 15 years in engineering and leadership roles at plants in the pulp and paper industry.

As a graduate of Auburn University, Boulware serves on the Auburn University Foundation Board of Directors and served on the Auburn Alumni Association’s Board of Directors. She is a member of the Auburn Alumni Engineering Council and its executive committee, a member of the Auburn Chemical Engineering Alumni Council’s alumni relations committee and a member of the Center for Inspiring Engineering Excellence Advisory

Council. She also served many years on the Auburn Pulp & Paper Foundation Board of Directors as scholarship and recruitment chair. She established an Ever Auburn Scholarship in the college and is a supporter of 100+ Women Strong. In recognition of her support, she is a member of the college’s Ginn and EAGLE societies and the university’s Foy, Samford and Petrie societies.

Maury Gaston / ’82 Mechanical Engineering

Maury Gaston earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 1982. He recently retired as manager of marketing services for AMERICAN Cast Iron Pipe Company. Gaston is a third-generation Auburn graduate and a first-generation Auburn engineer. He came to Auburn from Sylacauga and spent a significant portion of his 42-year career with AMERICAN working in New York, Florida, California and Texas before returning home to headquarters in Birmingham in 1997. His entire career with AMERICAN was in sales and marketing,

The 2024 Auburn Alumni Engineering Council award winners included Distinguished Auburn Engineers Maury Gaston, ’82 mechanical engineering; Chris Kramer, ’94 civil engineering; Shirley Boulware, ’91 chemical engineering; Art Slotkin, ’68 aerospace engineering; Outstanding Young Auburn Engineer Jordan Watkins, ’12 civil engineering; and Superior Service Sushil Bhavnani, professor emeritus.

where he enthusiastically promoted iron and steel pipe, engineering and Auburn.

Gaston serves Auburn University in many capacities, including joining the Auburn Alumni Engineering Council in 2002, serving as chair from 2013-16. He has served the waterworks industry as vice chair of the national standards committee for iron pipe, as chair of the Alabama Iron and Steel Council and as a frequent author and presenter of papers at industry technical conferences. Maury has represented Auburn as a current director and past chair of the State of Alabama Engineering Hall of Fame. He is also currently serving as regent — which is the national president — of Sigma Nu Fraternity. In 2014, Maury was named as the Auburn University Department of Mechanical Engineering Alumnus of the Year.

Giving back, Maury and his family have established a scholarship endowment in the college, and he is a member of the college’s Ginn and EAGLE societies and the university’s Foy, Samford and Petrie societies.

Chris Kramer / ’94 Civil Engineering

Chris Kramer earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 1994 and currently serves as chief strategy officer for Brasfield & Gorrie. He has more than 30 years of construction experience and has served in operational and leadership roles across the organization. In 2013, Kramer was named chief innovation officer and established a group focused on innovation and continuous improvement across the organization and industry. Soon thereafter, he also became chief information officer and consolidated five separate technology-related departments into a unified group that has become a technology leader within the construction industry. He has also been responsible for numerous company-wide strategic planning, improvement and cultural change initiatives and had oversight of Brasfield & Gorrie’s virtual design and construction, lean, business process improvement and offsite manufacturing departments prior to being named chief strategy officer in 2022.

As part of this construction-related work, he was responsible for numerous projects at Auburn University,

the University of Alabama’s Bryant-Denny Stadium expansion, LSU’s Tiger Stadium expansion and a wide range of industrial, commercial and institutional projects across the Southeast. For his professional achievements, Kramer was named as the Auburn Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering’s Outstanding Alumnus of the Year in 2021.

Kramer has also served in leadership positions in church, civic, community and professional organizations locally and nationally. As a dedicated supporter of his alma mater, Kramer has served as the chair of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Advisory Board. He and his wife, Mary, have also established an endowed scholarship in the college. For their support, the Kramers are members of the college’s Ginn and EAGLE societies and the university’s Foy, Samford and Petrie societies.

Art Slotkin / ’68 Aerospace Engineering

Art Slotkin earned a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering from Auburn in 1968, a master’s in flight structures from Columbia in 1969 and a master’s in history and sociology of technology and science from Georgia Tech in 2006.

Slotkin retired as executive vice president of SAIC, where he was responsible for business units with nearly $800 million in revenue, managing marketing, sales and delivery of commercial information technology outsourcing, systems integration and consulting services globally. He previously served in executive roles with Unisys, Capgemini, AT&T and several start-up companies.

In addition to his distinguished career, Slotkin served as the Auburn Alumni Engineering Council historian, where he has documented the history of the council and the college. In recent years, Slotkin has written and published more than a dozen books, including the history of the College of Engineering; College of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences; College of Agriculture; departments of aerospace, biosystems and civil and environmental engineering; and of women and African Americans in engineering at Auburn. He currently has several books in development.

As a committed alumnus of Auburn, Slotkin has supported the departments of aerospace engineering and civil and environmental engineering, along with the dean’s discretionary fund. For his dedication, Art is a member of the college’s EAGLE Society and the university’s Foy Society.

Outstanding Young Auburn Engineer

Jordan Watkins / ’12 Civil Engineering

Jordan Watkins earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 2012. Jordan currently serves as the CEO of the PTAC Companies, a holding company with various entities focused on design, construction, real estate development and technology development. These companies include PTAC Engineering, EDGE Software, PTAC Ventures, Structure Parking Solutions, Tarragona Technologies, Total Foundation Solutions, Commercial Maintenance Group, RH Design Build and Merit Building Systems. The mission of PTAC Companies is to positively impact its community through strategic investments in transformative real estate developments and partnerships that empower small businesses.

Watkins’ responsibilities at PTAC include strategic leadership and vision of all existing operating businesses within the portfolio to guide controlled growth for each business.

PTAC is an ardent supporter of the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering. Under Watkins’ leadership, the company named two spaces in the college, including the PTAC Consulting Engineers Study Space in the Brown-Kopel Center and the PTAC Consulting Engineers Office Suite in Advanced Structural Engineering Laboratory. In addition, Watkins was recently named to the Auburn University Civil Engineering Advisory Board.

Superior Service

Sushil Bhavnani / Professor Emeritus

Sushil Bhavnani earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Bangalore University, his master’s in the same discipline from the Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay and his doctorate from Iowa State University. Bhavnani began his career at Auburn

as an assistant professor of mechanical engineering in 1987. He retired in 2024 after 37 years. During his time at Auburn, he served as an assistant and associate professor before being promoted to full professor. He also served as the undergraduate program officer and associate chair for mechanical engineering, and carried the titles of Alumni Professor and the Henry Burt Chair and Professor.

For his work inside and outside of the classroom, he was recognized many times by the university and college for his commitment to his students and his research. During his time at Auburn, he was presented with the Leischuck Endowed Presidential Award, Walker Merit Award, Outstanding Mechanical Engineering Faculty Member three times, Walker Superior Award, SGA Faculty Member of the Year, Pumphrey Award, Birdsong Merit Award and the Mortar Board Favorite Educator Award. He also was named Outstanding Faculty Advisor, Organization Advisor of the Year, Provost’s Fellow, AU Spirit of Sustainability Award winner and Auburn Alumni Engineering Council Outstanding Senior Researcher Award.

In addition, Bhavnani was the inaugural advisor of the college’s IDEAS Program, where current Auburn Engineering undergraduate students work from campus in a secure location with companies such as Boeing on high-level projects of importance.

The Auburn Alumni Engineering Council was formed in 1966 as a group of Auburn Engineering alumni who work together to support the vision and goals of the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering. The council meets twice annually to assist and advise the college, and its members serve on a variety of committees geared to the mission and operation of the college. Council members are an active and valued component of the College of Engineering family. They demonstrate a continuing commitment to move the college to new levels of excellence and take its place among the nation’s premier engineering institutions. The council provides leadership and participation in areas such as academics, development, governmental affairs and public relations.

LIFETIME of service...

The Auburn Alumni Association honored its 2024 class of Lifetime Achievement Award and Young Alumni Achievement Award recipients at a special ceremony June 8.

The Lifetime Achievement Awards honor distinguished members of the Auburn Family for extraordinary accomplishments in their personal and professional lives, as well as dedication to the university. Noteworthy recent graduates in the midst of their careers are recognized with the Young Alumni Achievement Award. Recipients are nominated by their peers and selected by a committee of Auburn administrators, trustees, faculty, students and alumni.

Gary

Godfrey ’86 and Carol Godfrey ’86

Industrial Engineering

Gary and Carol Godfrey both graduated with bachelor’s degrees in industrial engineering in 1986. Carol began her career in manufacturing and product development before joining Southwire Company in 2006 as the vice president for marketing and product development. She was quickly promoted at Southwire and steadily climbed the ladder throughout her career, serving as the senior vice president for products and markets before retiring. As the senior vice president, she expanded Southwire’s markets in North America and was responsible for leading the development of new products and service offerings, including strategic partnerships, new product manufacturing and acquisitions.

Gary is a highly credentialed management consultant and business executive who is a leading expert on supply chain management and business transformation. He

The Auburn Alumni Association recognized seven individuals during this year’s Lifetime Achievement Awards. Those recognized included (back, L-R) Young Alumni Achievement recipient Parker Duffey, ’06 horticulture; and Lifetime Achievement recipients John Watson, ’60 mechanical engineering; Carol Godfrey ’86 industrial engineering; Gerald Leischuck ’64 education; (front, L-R) Lester Killebrew, ’68 industrial engineering; and Gary Godfrey, ’86 industrial engineering. The late Emily Leischuck was also honored for her lifetime achievement.

Listen to the #GINNING Podcast with Carol and Gary Godfrey at eng.auburn.edu/ginning

has worked with, and for, some of the world’s premier brands, including as Accenture’s global managing director of integrated planning and fulfillment. In this role, he refocused the practice to issues-based solutions and, in so doing, brought improved business margins and client satisfaction. He has worked across a wide variety of industries: retail, consumer products, manufacturing, communications, media/entertainment, oil and gas nationally and internationally, bringing innovative leadership and problem-solving to each endeavor. Under his leadership, the practice turned supply chains into engines that drove business strategy.

In addition to representing the university through their distinguished careers, the Godfreys have dedicated their time, talent and treasure into Auburn and the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering in a plethora of ways for more than 20 years. Their gifts have supported the College of Engineering’s 100+ Women Strong program, the Dr. Saeed Maghsoodloo Annual Assistantship, the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, scholarships, Ever Auburn scholarships, unrestricted fund, funds for excellence, the Thomas Walter Center for Technology Management, construction of the BrownKopel Engineering Student Achievement Center, naming Café 25 in the Brown-Kopel Center in Gary’s honor and Auburn basketball. For their commitment to Auburn, the Godfreys are recognized as members of the university’s Foy and 1856 societies and the college’s Keystone, Ginn and Eagle societies.

In 2019, Gary was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Empowered by his motto, “Make Today

Your Best Day,” Gary has become a staunch advocate for ALS research and awareness, and he has done so with Carol by his side. His impact and quest to cure ALS is something that will be felt for generations. Just in the past two years, he has helped raise millions upon millions of dollars in this fight against ALS. His Iron Bowl Challenge versus former University of Alabama football player and fellow ALS survivor Kerry Goode raised hundreds of thousands of dollars and Gov. Kay Ivey even declared the week as the “Kerry and Gary Challenge to Defeat ALS Week.”

Lester Killebrew Sr. '68 Industrial Engineering

Lester Killebrew graduated from Auburn University in 1968 with a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering. Following graduation, he parlayed engineering lessons learned at Auburn and founded his own business — Henry Farm Center — now known as SunSouth, where

he remains as chairman. SunSouth is a John Deere dealership with 21 locations serving areas in Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi, and it has been named in the top five dealers in the nation with John Deere Managers Club more than five times.

Killebrew’s desire to plant the seed of STEM curiosity and imagination led to the founding of ATTA, an engaging library of STEM of history located in the heart of downtown Abbeville. ATTA’s visitors enjoy exhibits and are introduced to the latest technologies. Killebrew continues his impact at ATTA as chairman and CEO.

Killebrew has given back to Auburn Engineering through scholarships and funds used for classroom and building enhancements, helping provide students with the best tools possible to make a difference beyond college. His contributions to the state’s economy don’t rest on agricultural engineering equipment alone. Killebrew founded CCS Technology Centers, a valuable computer hardware/software provider utilized by industry that continues to help users remain profitable. Through CCS Technology, he was pivotal to the computerization of the Auburn Athletics Department.

He is the chairman of the Alabama Agriculture Museum and is on the board of directors of Federated Insurance Companies. He is past president of the Abbeville Chamber of Commerce, past chairman of the North American Equipment Dealers Association and past national director of the Southern Equipment Dealers Association. He is the chairman of the board at SunSouth LLC, president and CEO of CCS Technology Centers, the head of Henry Farm Center Inc. and holds the top position of the ATTA Library of STEM and History.

John Holman Watson ’60 Mechanical Engineering

John Watson earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Auburn University in 1960. Watson has a wealth of experience in engineering and business, but his career started upon graduation when he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army. A lifelong learner, he planned to return to Auburn to pursue his master’s degree in mechanical engineering after

serving active duty in the Army, but was called again to serve during the Berlin Crisis. Once he returned to Alabama, he joined Smith’s Inc. and launched his career in engineering.

At Smith’s, Watson quickly rose through the ranks, purchasing the company from owner Jim Smith and becoming the company’s president and CEO while he was still in his 20s. In those roles, he has expanded the company, diving into new business ventures and investing in all areas of building and construction. Ever the entrepreneur, Watson has ventured into many businesses outside of mechanical engineering. He founded and owned Aladan Inc., a latex company in the 1990s, which became the largest latex examination company in the United States at the time. He has owned businesses and capital in windows, bricks, fiberglass and general construction. His entrepreneurial spirit has even taken him into the yeast business, where he owned a yeast company for many years. Throughout this time with new business ventures, Watson has remained president and CEO of Smith’s, Inc., and now retired, he sits on the board.

He other business ventures include Engineered Systems Inc., which built Auburn’s indoor football practice facility, and Higgins Electric Inc. Watson was also a founding board member of the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind.

Watson has also seen the importance of education through research and scholarship, establishing the John H. and Gail Watson Professorship which is held by Hari Narayanan, chair of the Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering. Watson and his wife, Gail, are members of the university’s Foy Society, 1856 Founders Circle, the college’s Ginn Society and EAGLE Society, as well as athletics’ Oaks Society. Through his commitment to Alabama, Auburn University and engineering, Watson was inducted into the State of Alabama Engineering Hall of Fame in 2008.

With a gift of property to Auburn, you open doors for students, support outstanding faculty and fuel game-changing research.

And the best part? You don’t even have to leave your home.

By creating a retained life estate, you and your family can continue to live in your home while immediately receiving a substantial income tax deduction. After your lifetime, the property becomes a meaningful gift that benefits a program or cause you care about at Auburn.

To learn more about retained life estates, visit auburngiving.org/rle