Message from the Chair

In the USC Department of Aerospace & Mechanical Engineering (AME), we find ourselves at the intersection of the highest impact initiatives taking place at the university and nationwide – from the $1 billion USC Frontiers of Computing initiative in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) to innovations that open new possibilities for space exploration. Adding to our strengths, Prof. Krishna Garikipati, a recognized expert in the applications of AI/ML to physical systems, will join AME in January 2024.

Our faculty have garnered many accolades this year including:

• Prof. Paul Plucinsky received an NSF CAREER Award to study the relationships between the geometry of structures and their properties – the third AME faculty member so honored in the past 3 years

• Prof. Ivan Bermejo-Moreno received a NASA Early Career Faculty Award for computational studies of hypersonic flight and propulsion

• Prof. Hangbo Zhao received an Office of Naval Research Young Investigator Award for his work on soft robotics

The excellence of our faculty directly translates to the quality of the education our students receive and their future career opportunities. From designing and building winning racecars zooming on a NASCAR- constructed track, to the upgrading of our "Fabulous Fluid Facility", AME students are empowered for success - a fact recognized by Boeing as evidenced by their recently-launched internship for Accelerated Leadership with USC.

This portfolio of research, teaching, industry partnerships, and groundbreaking innovations is what provides AME's students with "value added" education to launch successful careers. We hope you enjoy reading this selection of highlights, each playing a role in the trends that are transforming our world today.

Paul Ronney

Department Chair, Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering