OU Engineering

At the University of Oklahoma, a transformative course called Pathways to Engineering Thinking is leaving a mark on OU students and the community. In the first-year engineering course, over 800 students across 16 sections collaborated to tackle real-world challenges presented by community partners. Their projects ranged from developing prosthetic limbs for injured animals to creating innovative solutions for community gardens and zoos. The course aims to guide students through the engineering design process, emphasizing collaborative teamwork and problem-solving skills.  This semester’s projects reached many areas of the community. Partnerships with the OU Food Pantry, OU Community Garden, Oklahoma City Zoo, OU Engineering K-12 Outreach, a local dog rescue and the City of Norman provided students with real-world challenges to address. Each team delved into issues presented by the partners, working toward delivering functional design solutions by the semester’s end. The heart of the cou

The Gallogly College of Engineering is pleased to announce the appointment of Charles Nicholson as the new director of the Data Science and Analytics Institute. Nicholson, associate professor in the School of Industrial and Systems Engineering, brings a wealth of experience and expertise in systems engineering and data science to this leadership role. Nicholson spent over a decade working in industry in the field of data science and analytics before joining academia. During this time, he led multiple efforts and various teams in designing a broad array of analytics solutions for multiple corporations across the nation and internationally.  He earned his Ph.D. in Operations Research from Southern Methodist University and joined OU in 2013.  His research focuses on optimization modeling and machine-learning to enhance communities (e.g., cities, towns) to withstand and recover from disruptive events such as natural hazards and public health threats. In addition to serving the School of In

Optica, an international association in optics and photonics, recently announced the election of University of Oklahoma engineering professor Javier Jo, Ph.D. , as a Fellow member.  Jo, a faculty member in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, was honored for his contributions to integrating optical imaging and artificial intelligence for biomedical applications. His research focuses on developing optical sensing and imaging technologies to understand pathophysiological mechanisms in human diseases and improve their clinical management. “Dr. Jo’s groundbreaking research, which combines optical imaging and artificial intelligence, has significantly advanced our understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying human diseases. This well-deserved recognition from such a prestigious association reflects the significance of these contributions,” said J.R. Cruz, Ph.D., director of the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering. At OU, Jo’s research program address

Inspired by the April 2015 challenge by Jim Gallogly, the college's namesake, to pursue excellence, the Pursuit of Excellence Award honors those who regularly and selflessly serve the college with excellence in all they do. Presented at the fall Board of Advisors meeting, the awards are among the highest recognition given by the college. In addition to a cash award, recipients receive a certificate of distinction. Introducing the class of 2023 Pursuit of Excellence Award recipients: Graduate Student Award - Buket Cilali Buket Cilali is pursuing a doctoral degree in industrial and systems engineering. She has served as a teaching assistant and has contributed to the research enterprise through contributions that include publishing a book chapter, a conference paper and a journal paper. Students appreciate her willingness to help. She serves the OU student chapter of INFORMS and the organizing committee of the international organization Forecasting for Social Good. Staff Award – Aaro

Cytovance Biologics, Wheeler Bio and the Gallogly College of Engineering at the University of Oklahoma recently joined forces in a collaborative panel discussion focused on the field of bioprocessing. Experts in the bioprocessing industry highlighted the array of employment prospects within the sector. They also underscored the critical role played by OU Engineering in preparing students for success in bioprocessing, largely attributed to the Economic Development Administration’s Build Back Better Regions Challenge Grant.  The discussion exemplifies the collaborative bridge between academia and industry, encouraging knowledge exchange and preparing students for promising careers in bioprocessing, says Daniel Baker, project manager for the OU Bioprocessing Core Facility which is expected to open in 2024.  OU Engineering Dean John Klier, Ph.D., agrees adding that OU Engineering is thrilled to offer this type of opportunity to OU students. “Biologics, medications derived from biological s

Marmar Moussa, Ph.D., an assistant computer science professor at the University of Oklahoma, has secured an award of nearly $1 million from the National Institutes of Health to advance her work in computational genomics.  The study, titled “Computational approaches to the mechanistic elucidation of the serrated pathway of human colon carcinogenesis,” aims to unravel the mechanisms driving the serrated pathway of human colon carcinogenesis using computational methods that help explain how colon cancer develops. “This research is essential due to the intricacies of colon cancer initiation. Colon cancer often originates through various mechanisms, including mutations and genetic changes that lead to abnormal lesions known as precursor lesions,” Moussa said. “Some of these lesions, such as hyperplastic polyps, are well understood and pose minimal risk. However, others, like serrated lesions, remain less understood and require in-depth investigation.” Serrated lesions are characterized by t

In collaboration, the University of Oklahoma has taken the lead in a Department of Energy project, with support from Kansas State University, to pioneer a new generation of reversible electrochemical cells. The cells have the potential to revolutionize energy storage by integrating seamlessly with fossil fuel assets. The project’s objective was to conduct an extensive study aimed at developing an energy storage technology capable of efficiently converting carbon dioxide emissions captured from fossil fuel assets into valuable fuels, such as methane, says Pejman Kazempoor, Ph.D., a professor in the OU School of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, Gallogly College of Engineering, who leads OU’s contribution to the project.  “One of the standout features of this reversible electrochemical technology is its ability to solve existing problems in the energy storage landscape, particularly its exceptionally high round-trip efficiency and durability. Unlike conventional energy storage techno

University of Oklahoma engineering researcher Reza Foudazi, Ph.D., has been selected to receive a $600,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Defense under the Defense Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research, or DEPSCoR. The highly competitive grant was awarded to only 28 academic teams nationwide.  An associate professor in the School of Sustainable Chemical, Biological and Materials Engineering, Foudazi’s research centers on the exploration of electrochemical energy storage systems that incorporate multivalent ions. He says the systems are of interest due to their potential for higher energy density when compared to conventional lithium-based systems.  “We are dedicated to advancing the field of electrochemical energy storage. The primary goal of this research is to understand the fundamental design principles behind nanostructured thermoresponsive electrolytes for multivalent ions,” Foudazi said.  Foudazi's team will produce ionogel electrolytes by using block copol

OU Engineering has welcomed 14 new faculty members for the 2023-24 academic year. This marks a milestone in the college's growth journey, with faculty numbers increasing from just over 100 in 2017 to 175 in 2023. OU Engineering is committed to expanding its faculty ranks, aiming for over 200 faculty members by the 2025-26 academic year, says OU Engineering Dean John Klier. To achieve this goal, the college has initiated more than 20 faculty searches. The State of Oklahoma continues to acknowledge the need for more engineers. They recently responded to OU Engineering’s request for additional recurring funding. The funding will play a crucial role in offering undergraduate student tuition waivers, supporting graduate students and helping recruit new faculty and staff. These positions will be phased in over the next three years. "OU Engineering extends its gratitude for the ongoing support from the State of Oklahoma as it continues to address the growing demand for engineers,&quo

From left, Lucia Torres, OU Engineering dean John Klier and Hamilton Young.   Two University of Oklahoma engineering students, Hamilton Young and Lucia Torres, have been recognized by the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation as part of the Astronaut Scholars program during Innovators Week and Gala held from Aug. 16-19 in Orlando, Florida. The Astronaut Scholarship is a highly competitive award granted to undergraduate students nationwide pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM. This year, Young and Torres were among 68 students from 46 different universities selected for the recognition. “Hamilton Young and Lucia Torres exemplify the caliber of students we are proud to have at OU Engineering. Their selection as Astronaut Scholars shows their dedication and commitment to advancing the field of engineering. We are thrilled to see them recognized on a national stage and look forward to witnessing their contributions to the world of STEM,” said John Klier,

The Gallogly College of Engineering at the University of Oklahoma concluded its annual Summer Bridge Program on Aug. 4. The four-week on-campus initiative, designed for incoming freshman students with an interest in engineering, has seen a record-breaking number of participants this year. The program helps prepare students for the academic rigors of engineering coursework. It offers course credit, team-building exercises and developmental seminars. Students take classes such as calculus and Introduction to engineering. They also participate in a team-based engineering design project, providing them with hands-on experience and a glimpse into their first semester of college. “We are incredibly proud of all the participants and their achievements at Summer Bridge,” said Brandon Abbott, the program’s director. “This program not only provides academic preparation but also fosters a sense of community and engineering identity. We look forward to continuing to support and empower future engi

Eight students hailing from the Gallogly College of Engineering have been chosen as recipients of the summer 2023 Engineering Dissertation Award. The $5,000 award, designed to foster excellence among doctoral students, supports scholars in the final stages of their Ph.D. studies. The awards committee, led by associate dean for research Zahed Siddique, Ph.D., underscores the award’s significance for scholars near their graduation. Initiated in 2018, the Engineering Dissertation Award is funded by the Thomas Ira Brown Jr. Endowed Scholarship. Remembering Brown’s pioneering work in electronic control of industrial gas turbines, this award perpetuates his legacy. Brown earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering in 1950 from OU. The summer 2023 awardees are: Chris Billings, School of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, Recommended by Yingtao Liu, Ph.D. Title: “Additive Manufacturing And Synthesis Of Advanced Antibacterial And Sensing Photocurable Polymer Nanocomposites” Abstract

In recognition of their contributions to the field, two retired professors from the Gallogly College of Engineering have made their way onto the cover of Journal of Surfactants. The featured professors are Jeff Harwell, who served in the School of Sustainable Chemical, Biological and Materials Engineering, and Dave Sabatini, who previously served as faculty in the School of Civil Engineering and Environmental Science. Journal of Surfactants, known for its focus on surface and interfacial phenomena, highlighted the work and impact of the two educators in Volume 26 Issue 3, titled “Special Issue: A Celebrations of Dr. Jeffrey Harwell and Dr. David Sabatini: Leaders, Researchers and Teachers in Applicated Surfactant Formulations.” The special issue was spearheaded by OU Ph.D. alumni Edgar Acosta, now at the University of Toronto, and Javen Weston, at Tulsa University. The recognition comes in the wake of several faculty members from OU Engineering retiring during 2022-2023. The roster of

Two robotics teams representing the Gallogly College of Engineering at the University of Oklahoma showcased their expertise this summer securing victories at two competitions: the Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition and the University Rover Challenge. Sooner Competitive Robotics   clinched both first place overall and first place in their specific category, AutoNav, at the Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition held at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan, from June 2-5. The team's performance marks their return to the top spot after securing first place in 2021 and finishing second in 2022. The competition witnessed participation from 29 universities across the United States, Canada, India and Japan.  Braden White, a senior in computer engineering from Frisco, Texas, took on the role of team captain, while Jorge Exinia, an alum of OU’s computer engineering program, held the position of president for Sooner Competitive Robotics .  Sooner Competitive Robotics' achievemen

Students from the Stephenson School of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Oklahoma secured a second-place finish in the 2023 Coulter College Program presented by the Biomedical Engineering Society and Medtronic on Aug. 3-6 in Minneapolis. The program focuses on empowering young engineers to bridge the gap between cutting-edge biomedical technologies and real-world clinical needs, says Rebecca Scott, Ph.D., an assistant professor who serves as the group’s adviser. Out of a pool of competitive entries, the OU team emerged as one of the standout performers in the 2023 competition receiving the “Best User Insights Award.” For the challenge, they undertook the task of developing a solution to assist clinicians in identifying suitable candidates for pain stimulators, with a broader focus on alleviating chronic pain.  “We are immensely proud of our students and their remarkable achievement,” Scott said. “The recognition underscores OU Engineering’s commitment to preparing students to

From left, Victoria Stevens, Lorene Roberson and Margarita Rodriguez The OU Engineering communications team attended the 2023 Oklahoma College Public Relations Association annual conference in July at the Downstream Casino Resource in Quapaw, Oklahoma.  Victoria Stevens and Margarita Rodriguez received the Grand Award (first place) for web design .  Karen Kelly and Lorene Roberson received the Grand Award for OU Engineer , a monthly e-publication focusing on research. The work placed first in the shoestring category.  Roberson also was awarded an honorable mention for a full-length feature titled "OU Biomedical Engineering Researcher Ready to Transform TBI Surgery." OCPRA received approximately 523 entries from 39 institutions across the state. Entries are judged by a panel of experts in their respective fields who are not OCPRA members. For a complete list of winners and examples of their work, click here .  Kelly, communications director for the Gallogly College of Enginee

About 80% of Engineering Days 2023 participants hail from towns across Oklahoma. From left, Thomas Cuellar of Oklahoma City, Andrew Bomboy of Choctaw, Ethan Schwartz of Tuttle, and Jackson Mejia of Norman. Photo album here. In response to the demand for engineers, the Gallogly College of Engineering at the University of Oklahoma recently welcomed high school students to grow their interest in engineering. Known as Engineering Days, the college hosted over 200 students during an 11-day event in June. Oklahoma is experiencing an urgent need for skilled engineers, with projections indicating that OU Engineering must graduate 900 students annually over the next five years to meet the demand, says Randa Shehab, Ph.D., the college’s senior associate dean. “The importance of engaging students in real-world problem-solving and collaborating with faculty who are actively working on solutions benefits all Oklahomans,” Shehab said. Since its inception in 2015, Engineering Days has been a flagship

University of Oklahoma engineering professor David Ebert, Ph.D., has secured a grant from the Department of Defense-supported System of Systems Consortium to spearhead a project titled “Intelligent Supply Chain Risk Management (SCRM) Industry Study.”  The $642,244 grant allows Ebert and a team of OU researchers to develop an AI-enhanced information search and risk analysis system, focused on evaluating supplier vulnerabilities and establishing risk indexes for U.S. Air Force suppliers. Working in close collaboration with the 448th Supply Chain Management Wing at Tinker Air Force Base, the project has been designated a priority.  “The pandemic has exposed the vulnerabilities and delays that can arise in the face of disruptions. With Tinker Air Force Base responsible for the maintenance of one-third of all U.S. Air Force aircraft, it is now more critical than ever to create an SCRM system capable of withstanding major disruptions while ensuring seamless delivery,” said Ebert who oversee