Gross appointed chair of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Jason Gross has been appointed chair of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. (WVU Photo/Paige Nesbit)

Jason Gross, associate professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering in the Statler College of Engineering Mineral Resources at West Virginia University, has been named chair of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. His appointment will begin October 2, 2022.

Story by Brittany Furbee, Communications Specialist

Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources

Gross has served as interim chair of the department since January 2022. During this time, he led a process to help the department prioritize the allocation of its available resources, which led to expanding the number of teaching faculty and graduate assistants supported by the department, as well as the development of a comprehensive plan to upgrade the department’s teaching lab facilities. 

“I am so honored and humbled to have the opportunity to serve as the chair of my home department,” said Gross. “We have amazing educational and research programs, and our students and faculty are routinely recognized for their outstanding work on national and international stages.” 

Going forward, he plans to continue to work with his colleagues to improve both undergraduate and graduate programs by enhancing the curriculum, improve industry and alumni relationships, continue to support the department’s world-class student design experiences, and support the continued growth of the department’s research programs. 

“I am delighted that Dr. Gross has accepted the chair position in the mechanical and aerospace engineering department,” said Pedro Mago, Glen H. Hiner Dean of the Statler College. “This appointment represents a strong affirmation of the outstanding job that Dr. Gross has done as interim department chair.  I am excited about his enthusiasm, energy, leadership, and vision. The future of the MAE department is bright under his leadership.” 

Gross has spent nearly all his academic career at WVU. He received his undergraduate degrees in mechanical engineering and aerospace engineering from WVU in 2007 and completed his Ph.D. in aerospace engineering in 2011. 

“I am really proud that I served as WVU’s student body president when I was an undergraduate,” said Gross. “I think that has played a big part in making me who I am.” 

Since joining WVU as a professor in 2014, Gross has received many accolades and awards, including the Statler College Outstanding Researcher Senior Level Award in 2021, the Mechanical & Aerospace Academies of Distinguished Alumni Teaching Award in 2019, the Statler College Outstanding Teacher Award in 2017, and the Statler College New Researcher of the Year Award in 2016.  

He has also been the principal investigator or co-principal investigator on research projects that have received approximately $7.5 million in external funding. 

Currently, his research focuses on robotic systems and unmanned aerial systems with an emphasis on perception and localization. Gross also directs the WVU Navigation Lab and is co-coordinator of WVU’s growing robotics program.  

“Since being named interim chair earlier this year, everyone I have interacted with including faculty, staff, students, alumni, and members of our visiting committee have been so supportive,” said Gross. “The chance to continue interacting with all these different constituents that are united with pride in our department and hold a common belief that we can achieve even greater heights is what makes the opportunity to take on this challenging position so meaningful to me.”  

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