ME News Archive

ME News Archive

Dr. Lewis Thigpen

Howard University Professor Emeritus Lewis Thigpen Publishes on Mechanical Engineering at Howard University from 1911-2023

The book provides the background and history of the establishment of the Howard University mechanical engineering program from which the first two people graduated with their bachelor’s degrees in 1934. It also provides an overview of the curriculum, faculty, student organizations, achievements of alumni, industry and government support, and shares important milestones.

Category: Alumni, College of Engineering and Architecture, Mechanical Engineering

Dr. Sonya Smith

Howard University CEA Researchers Honored at Inaugural Research and Leadership Awards

The President’s 1867 Award, Howard’s highest honor for research, was presented to Sonya Smith, Ph.D., professor of mechanical engineering and executive director of the Research Institute for Tactical Autonomy (RITA). Danda B. Rawat, Ph.D., and Nea Maloo, FAIA, NOMA, LEED AP, ICC, were also honored at the awards ceremony with the Outstanding Faculty Mentor Awards and Su Yan, Ph.D., was honored with the Up and Coming Researcher of the Year award.

Category: Alumni, Architecture, Research, College of Engineering and Architecture, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering

Eric Scandrett in cap and gown

Meet Our 2025 CEA Awards and Recognition Ceremony Student Speaker Eric Scandrett

Presenting this year is Eric Scandrett (BSME ‘25), who in his own words shared that graduating from Howard University with his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering is a moment he will cherish forever—a milestone that represents not only years of hard work, but also a journey filled with growth, discovery, and unforgettable experiences.

Category: Alumni, College of Engineering and Architecture, Mechanical Engineering

Dr. Nadir Yilmaz

Howard University Engineering Professor Nadir Yilmaz Elected to ASEE Board of Directors

Yilmaz will serve as Professional Interest Council V Chair for the 2025-2028 term.

Category: College of Engineering and Architecture, Mechanical Engineering

Howard NSBE 2025 conference attendees

Howard NSBE Wins Region II Large Chapter Award

The Howard University chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers (Howard NSBE) was presented the 2024-2025 Large Chapter of the Year Award by the NSBE Region II Executive Board at the annual national convention earlier this month.

Category: Chemical Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering and Architecture, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering

Howard University engineering students

Howard University College of Engineering and Architecture Receives $5M Record-Setting Gift from Autodesk

This unrestricted gift will fund student preparation for an AI-Powered workforce – leveraging a new state-of-the-art Design and Make lab.

Category: College of Engineering and Architecture, Mechanical Engineering

Dr. Nadir Yilmaz

Howard University Mechanical Engineering Professor Receives a Distinguished Honor from the American Association for the Advancement of Science

The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) recently announced its distinguished 2023 Class of AAAS fellows, which includes two Howard University professors -- Janelle Burke, Ph.D. and Nadir Yilmaz, Ph.D. -- among the list of 502 scientists, engineers, and innovators.

Category: Research, College of Engineering and Architecture, Mechanical Engineering

ED logo

Howard University Engineering Professor Awarded $900K ED Grant for Integrating Leadership Education in STEM Programs

Howard University mechanical engineering professor Mohsen Mosleh, Ph.D., was recently awarded a $900K grant by the U.S. Department of Education for the Integrating Leadership Education and Development (I-LEAD) into Minority STEM Education program. The I-LEAD program will span over the course of three years.

Category: College of Engineering and Architecture, Mechanical Engineering

Aprille Ericsson, Ph.D.

Howard University Mechanical Engineering Alumna Aprille J. Ericsson Nominated to Be Assistant Secretary of Defense for Science and Technology

Howard University mechanical engineering alumna Aprille J. Ericsson (MEng ‘90; Ph.D. ‘95) has been nominated by United States President Joseph Biden to serve as the assistant secretary of defense for science and technology.

Category: Alumni, College of Engineering and Architecture, Mechanical Engineering

ASME Student Section Achievement Award Badge for 2023 Awardee

Howard University ASME Chapter Receives 2023 Student Section Achievement Award

The Howard University student section of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (HU ASME) recently received the ASME Student Section Achievement Award for the 2022-2023 academic year.

Category: College of Engineering and Architecture, Mechanical Engineering

Dr. Yilmaz at 2023 ASEE Annual Conference

Mechanical Engineering Professor Nadir Yilmaz Becomes First ASEE Fellow at Howard University

Howard University mechanical engineering professor and department chair Nadir Yilmaz, Ph.D., P.E., was recently elevated to fellow member of the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE). The ASEE Board of Directors confers the grade of fellow members to recognize outstanding contributions to engineering education or engineering technology education and considerable individual contributions to ASEE.

Category: College of Engineering and Architecture, Mechanical Engineering

Professor Gbadebo Moses Owolabi

Mechanical Engineering Professor Gbadebo Owolabi Receives $794K DOD Grant for Advanced 3D Printing Materials Research

Mechanical engineering professor Gbadebo Moses Owolabi, Ph.D., recently received a $794K grant from the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) for his research on enhancing advanced materials produced with additive manufacturing technology (AM), commonly known as 3D printing technology.

Category: College of Engineering and Architecture, Mechanical Engineering

HU engineering students

Howard University Department of Mechanical Engineering Receives $1M from Autodesk to Advance Student and Faculty Initiatives

Autodesk Inc. has donated $1 million to the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Howard University, the largest-ever unrestricted gift to the department. The gift for the Department of Mechanical Engineering expands its manufacturing and making facilities and laboratory facilities for students enrolled in the College of Engineering and Architecture (CEA).

Category: College of Engineering and Architecture, Mechanical Engineering

2022 CEA Tau Beta Pi Scholars

Howard University Engineering Students Awarded Prestigious Tau Beta Pi Scholarships

Howard University chemical engineering senior Olabisi Bello, mechanical engineering senior Yaman Siwakoti and computer science senior Deante Taylor recently received prestigious Tau Beta Pi scholarships for the 2022-2023 academic year. Scholarships are awarded annually by Tau Beta Pi, the national engineering honor society, to junior members on a competitive basis of high scholarship, campus leadership and service, and promise of future contributions to the engineering profession.

Category: Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering and Architecture, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering

Rocket launch with HU team's payload

Howard University Engineering Students Launch NASA Payload

Howard University computer engineering junior Ayron Fears, mechanical engineering senior Khari Fletcher, electrical engineering Ph.D. student Cameron Lewis (BSEE 2019), and electrical engineering sophomore David Toler launched their RockOn!2022 educational payload experiment on the Terrier-Improved Orion sounding rocket from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Wallops Flight Facility in Greenbelt, Maryland this past summer.

Category: Research, College of Engineering and Architecture, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering

Aprille Ericsson at Rutgers hooding ceremony

Mechanical Engineering Alumna Aprille J. Ericsson Awarded ASME Ralph Coats Roe Medal and Honorary Doctorate

Howard University mechanical engineering alumna Aprille J. Ericsson (M. Eng. ‘90; Ph.D. ‘95) was recently awarded the Ralph Coats Roe Medal from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). The Ralph Coats Roe Medal was established in 1972 to recognize engineers who have made an outstanding contribution toward a better public understanding and appreciation of engineering and its impact on society.

Category: Alumni, College of Engineering and Architecture, Mechanical Engineering

Professor Mohsen Mosleh

Howard University Mechanical Engineering Professor Mohsen Mosleh Recognized for Excellence in STEM Mentoring

Howard University mechanical engineering professor Mohsen Mosleh, Ph.D., recently received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring. The award recognizes those individuals who have made significant contributions to mentoring and supporting the future of the U.S. science, technology, engineering and mathematics workforce.

Category: College of Engineering and Architecture, Mechanical Engineering

ME alumna Delicia Gunn

Mechanical Engineering Alumna Delicia Gunn Challenges Industry with Product Launch for Sustainable Building Insulation Material

Mechanical engineering alumna Delicia Gunn (BSME ‘94), recently launched HEMPSULATION®, the debut product of her new venture HEMPSULATION, LLC. HEMPSULATION® is a sustainable building insulation material for commercial and residential use. The non-toxic, negative carbon footprint building material offers thermal, environmental and health benefits surpassing mineral wool, fiberglass, rockwool and other synthetic building insulation products.

Category: Alumni, College of Engineering and Architecture, Mechanical Engineering

Ananda Nole

Rising Mechanical Engineering Senior Ananda Nole Publishes Work with NASA JPL

Rising mechanical engineering senior Ananda Nole recently published a paper on her research work at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Nole’s research will be presented in a paper titled “Dual and Miniaturized Semi-Confocal Fabry-Perot Spectrometers for H2O and HDO Millimeter-Wave Sensing” at the 75th Annual International Symposium for Molecular Spectroscopy in Champaign, Illinois in June.

Category: Research, College of Engineering and Architecture, Mechanical Engineering

Dr. Lewis Thigpen

Mechanical Engineering Alumnus and Professor Emeritus Lewis Thigpen Recognized as IIT Distinguished Alumnus

Mechanical engineering alumnus and professor emeritus Lewis Thigpen, Ph.D., PE (BSME ’64) was invited to deliver a lecture as a distinguished alumnus at the Illinois Institute of Technology’s Mechanical, Materials and Aerospace Engineering (MMAE) Department’s 2022 MMAE Student Research Competition and Departmental Awards.

Category: Alumni, Mechanical Engineering

Dr. Barton receiving award

Mechanical Engineering Alumnus Oscar Barton, Jr. Receives 2022 DCCEAS Lifetime Achievement Award

Mechanical engineering alumnus Oscar Barton, Jr., Ph.D., P.E., F.ASME (MSME ‘87, Ph.D. ‘93) recently received the 2022 District of Columbia Council of Engineering and Architectural Societies (DCCEAS) Lifetime Achievement Award. Dr. Barton is the first African American mechanical engineering Ph.D. recipient at Howard University and was named dean of the Clarence M. Mitchell, Jr. School of Engineering at Morgan State University in 2020.

Category: Alumni, College of Engineering and Architecture, Mechanical Engineering

EWB Gardens Photo

Howard University Engineering Students Help Expand Urban Farm, Addressing D.C. Food Insecurity

Mechanical engineering senior Cheikh Badiane from the Howard University chapter of Engineers Without Borders joined community organizations to celebrate the Garden of Eden project in the city’s Ward 8 community – a series of raised garden beds enhancing the accessibility of gardening for seniors and those with limited mobility.

Category: Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering and Architecture, Mechanical Engineering

ME lab equipment

Howard University and Xometry Celebrate Manufacturing Day by Establishing the Xometry Scholars Program

Howard University and Xometry, Inc., a leading AI-enabled marketplace for on-demand manufacturing, today announced the creation of the Xometry Scholars Program. Xometry will pledge more than $900,000 to provide eight scholarships over the next four school years to students enrolled in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Howard University College of Engineering and Architecture.

Category: College of Engineering and Architecture, Mechanical Engineering

ME Alumnus David Canada

Alumnus David Canada Receives BEYA 2021 Science Spectrum Trailblazers Award

Mechanical Engineering Alumnus David Canada (BSME ‘04) received the Black Engineer of the Year Awards (BEYA) 2021 Science Spectrum Trailblazers Award. The award recognizes distinguished individuals who are making a difference in mathematics, biological sciences, physical sciences and social sciences.  

Category: Alumni, College of Engineering and Architecture, Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical Engineering Junior Oluwatisefunmi Ayo-Idowu

Mechanical Engineering Junior Oluwatisefunmi Ayo-Idowu Receives 2021 BEYA Student Leadership Award

Mechanical Engineering Junior Oluwatisefunmi Ayo-Idowu recently received the 2021 Black Engineer of the Year Awards (BEYA) Student Leadership Award. The BEYA Student Leadership Award serves to recognize students who are striving to make outstanding contributions to the varied aspects of science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) education and who have proved an interest and commitment to volunteering and learning while affecting the academic atmosphere of their campus (BEYA). Ayo-Idowu also received the 2021 BEYA Student Community Award.

Category: College of Engineering and Architecture, Mechanical Engineering

Dr. Lewis Thigpen

Alumnus and Professor Emeritus Lewis Thigpen Publishes Autobiography

Alumnus and professor emeritus Lewis Thigpen, Ph.D., PE (BSME ’64) recently published his autobiography, Born and Rai

Category: Alumni, College of Engineering and Architecture, Mechanical Engineering

Howard winning team at AT&T HBCU Innovation Challenge

McFadden Wins Grand Prize at AT&T HBCU Innovation Challenge

Mechanical engineering senior Saleah McFadden won the $50K grand prize at the AT&T HBCU Innovation Challenge along with Howard University (HU) School of Business team members, Ashlynn Donelson, Keoniah Phillips, and Zakiyah Walker. The HU winning team, 4twenty1, competed against 24 other student teams from across seventeen HBCUs.

Category: College of Engineering and Architecture, Mechanical Engineering

Alumnus Oscar Barton, Jr., Ph.D.

Alumnus Oscar Barton, Jr. Named Morgan State Engineering Dean

Mechanical Engineering Alumnus Oscar Barton, Jr. (MSME ‘87, Ph.D. ‘93), the first African American to receive the Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Howard University, was recently named dean of the Clarence M. Mitchell, Jr. School of Engineering at Morgan State University. Dr. Barton’s leadership will assist with the efforts of engineering deans at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to diversify the engineering fields and promote the position of HBCUs as leading research institutions in science and engineering.

Category: Alumni, Mechanical Engineering

Dr. Yilmaz at SAE Congress

ME Chair Nadir Yilmaz Honored with SAE International Leadership Citation

Department of Mechanical Engineering Chair and Professor Nadir Yilmaz, Ph.D., P.E., recently received the prestigious SAE International Leadership Citation from SAE International, formerly known as the Society of Automotive Engineers. The SAE International Leadership Citation provides public recognition to one individual annually who is internationally acknowledged for continuous professional involvement and participation in SAE programs and events worldwide.

Category: Mechanical Engineering

AMP3 Summer Program Graphic

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Lead Free Online Summer Immersion Program

College of Engineering and Architecture Director of Innovation and Mechanical Engineering Associate Professor Grant Warner, Ph.D., along with Mechanical Engineering Professor Gbadebo Moses Owolabi, Ph.D., and Assistant Professor Hyung Bae, Ph.D., will be leading the AMP3 Summer Immersion Program at Howard University.

Category: Mechanical Engineering