Professor Haoxiang Luo, interim chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, has accepted the role of chair for a three-year term. Luo also heads the Computational Flow Physics and Engineering (CFPE) laboratory.
Krish Roy, Bruce and Bridgitt Evans Dean of the School of Engineering and University Distinguished Professor, said following a rigorous national search, it became clear that Luo was the right person to lead the department, noting his strong support among faculty colleagues.
“As we embark on a significant growth phase for Engineering at Vanderbilt, Haoxiang’s leadership will be critical for the department and the school to significantly enhance our research ecosystem, educational offerings, and community impact,” Roy said.
Luo, whose research expertise includes computational fluid dynamics, fluid-structure interaction, scientific computing, and applied math, joined the Vanderbilt faculty in 2007. He currently serves on the editorial board for the Journal of Fluids Engineering.
“I am honored to be appointed chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering,” Luo said. “This is an exciting time to help shape the department’s continued success in areas such as surgical robotics, nanotechnology, fluids and materials, and rehabilitation engineering. Even more, I look forward to working closely with our world-class faculty, staff, and students to advance breakthrough discoveries and ensure our department remains at the forefront of mechanical engineering education and research.”
Luo earned a Ph.D. from the University of California, San Diego and joined Vanderbilt in 2007. He received the Doctoral New Investigator award from the American Chemical Society Petroleum Research Fund in 2008, the National Science Foundation (NSF) Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) award in 2010, and General H.H. Arnold Award from the AIAA Tennessee Section in 2013. He is a Fellow of ASME, an Associate Fellow of AIAA, and a member of APS.