SPRING 2025

In the heart of West Virginia University, a new chapter in tech innovation is unfolding — one driven by sensors, algorithms and limitless imagination. The robotics program in the Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources is more than a collection of high-tech labs and cutting-edge machines — it’s a dynamic ecosystem where aspiring engineers design, build and program the next generation of intelligent systems.

Researchers at WVU will develop technologies and strategies that will revolutionize hydrogen energy on regional and national scales as part of WVU’s addition to the Center for Clean Hydrogen.

The Statler College continues to demonstrate its unwavering commitment to innovation, achieving a record high of $52.2 million in total research expenditures for the 2023 fiscal year. As a result, all engineering programs reached the top 100 rankings in the latest National Science Foundation Higher Education Research and Development Survey.

When Gesa Dinges started her academic career in neurobiology, she didn’t expect to find herself pulled into the world of engineering. But after meeting West Virginia University robotics assistant professor Nick Szczecinski at the University of Cologne during his postdoctoral appointment, she realized that her research questions would benefit from the expertise of disciplines outside of the natural sciences.

Three WVU students have been awarded the coveted Goldwater Scholarship, the nation’s premier undergraduate scholarship in mathematics, engineering and natural sciences which supports students with strong commitments to research careers.

The Statler College at WVU hosted the 2025 VEX Robotics competition, where 71 teams put their coding and engineering skills to the test for a chance to qualify for the upcoming state and regional tournaments. Winning teams have the opportunity to advance all the way to the VEX Robotics World Championship hosted in Dallas, Texas from May 6-14.

The WVU Mine Rescue Team, based at the Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources, is the best in the world.

We’re excited to showcase alumnus Gbolahan 'Bugzy' Idowu, who graduated with a B.S. in Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering in 2013 and a M.S. in Mechanical Engineering in 2017 and his incredible journey from Nigeria to an engineer at Tesla.

Since his time as a lecturer at the Statler College, aerospace engineer Steven Raqué's career has led him to positions at NASA and his current role as principal systems engineer at Blue Origin. We chatted with him about his experience working on the recent New Shepard mission, the future of space travel and reconnecting with his former student Emily Calandrelli before her incredible journey.

Pedro J. Mago has been reappointed to his administrative post as Glen H. Hiner Dean of the Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources at WVU for another five-year term.

Pedro Mago, Glen H. Hiner Dean of the Statler College, announced the winners of the College’s outstanding teaching, advising, faculty, graduate student researchers and staff awards for the 2024-2025 academic year on April 11, 2025.

Department of Mechanical, Materials and Aerospace Engineering Professor and Chair Jason Gross has been awarded the Per Enge Early Achievement Award by the The Institute of Navigation (ION). ION is the world’s foremost nonprofit professional society advancing the art and science of positioning, navigation and timing (PNT).

Dear MMAE Alumni and Friends,

I am happy to report great news that our department continues to grow and find success. Most recently, we are happy to report that now all three of our graduate research programs are ranked in the top 100 by two different discipline specific rankings. In particular, within the National Science Foundation’s Higher Education Research and Development survey, which is based upon annual research expenditures, our programs are ranked as follows: Mechanical-77, Materials-42, and Aerospace-54. Likewise, within the latest U.S. News and World Report Graduate School Rankings, which is based upon a survey distributed to other graduate programs across the nation, our programs are ranked as follows: Mechanical-91, Materials-88, and Aerospace-56. These ranks across all three disciplines speak to the success of our faculty-led research programs and graduate students.

In our Spring Newsletter, you will read about our Robotics Engineering degree program that was launched in Fall 2024 in a feature that highlights how this program has been built upon years of success in both robotics research and education at WVU. You will also read about our students and faculty continuing to find success through engineering competitions and awards recognizing their contributions in research, education and scholarship. These include aerospace undergraduate Henry Coyle who was just named a recipient of the prestigious Goldwater Scholarship.

As we approach the summer, it is always an exciting time to see our students gearing up for the upcoming season of national engineering design competitions and, for some, completing the important educational milestone of graduation.

Thanks for your continued support of the department,

MAILING ADDRESS:
Department of Mechanical, Materials and Aerospace Engineering | West Virginia University
1306 Evansdale Drive | P.O. Box 6106 | Morgantown, WV 26506-6106
PHONE: 304.293.3111 | EMAIL: Statler-MAE@mail.wvu.edu

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