Brenda Ellis

Emeritus Professor of Mechanical Engineering John Wesley Williamson, 91, of Nashville, died February 27, 2025. Williamson He joined the mechanical engineering faculty in 1964 and retired in 1999. He continued to teach until 2010. His research focus in fluid dynamics included modeling of turbulent flow, aerodynamic levitation of solid and… Read More

Lianrui Zuo and Chenyu Gao are the first scholars to receive provisional patents under VALIANT’s Innovation Incentive Program. The Vanderbilt Lab for Immersive AI Translation (VALIANT) is a dynamic translational AI hub and serves as a center for strategic partnerships and engagement in AI policy. The VALIANT Innovation Incentive Program,… Read More

By Lauren Carnahan Vanderbilt’s TOM (Tikkun Olam Makers) chapter hosted its second annual Toy Adaptation event, bringing together students to modify toys and make playtime more accessible for children with physical disabilities. Held at the Wond’ry, Vanderbilt’s Innovation Center, this year’s event expanded from its original focus on plush toys… Read More

A civil engineering group heads to Paris for a customized tour—History, Innovation, and Artistry of Structural Engineering—during Spring Break 2025. To follow along, go here: Paris blog.   Two 2025 spring break trips will immerse engineering students in learning, cultural experiences and service, and they will see their classrooms… Read More

By Lauren Carnahan At Susan Gray School, a new tree installation has quickly become a favorite feature for the kids. This once empty space now invites students to settle into a cozy reading nook. The tree, with its soft colors and layered wooden branches, helps create… Read More

An entrepreneur with career success and a heartbreaking personal tragedy will talk about both in a lecture about resilience and optimism. Eduardo Fernandez, a 2003 graduate of the Vanderbilt School of Engineering and managing director of Grupo Ayucus, will deliver the spring 2025 Chambers Family Entrepreneurial Lecture, a… Read More

Retired General Paul M. Nakasone, (center) keynote speaker at DistrictCon, was accompanied by five Vanderbilt University students (left to right) senior Joshua Turner, junior Evelyn Zhang, senior Abi Kothapalli, junior Patrick Dobranowski and sophomore Eli Jiang. They are all computer science majors and members of the school’s Cybersecurity Capture the… Read More

As the demand for cutting-edge technology and a highly skilled engineering workforce grows, sustained federal investment in engineering research and education is more important than ever. “At Vanderbilt School of Engineering alone, we currently have almost 700 students and trainees—the future of America’s workforce—who are making transformative impact to science… Read More

Robert W. Pitz, professor of mechanical engineering, has received a 2025 Sustained Service Award from the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). The award recognizes sustained, significant service and contributions to AIAA by members of the Institute. Robert Pitz The award winners have made contributions at the local section… Read More

Christos Constantinidis, Stevenson Chair and Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Neuroscience, has been appointed associate director of the Vanderbilt Brain Institute (VBI). The VBI is dedicated to advancing scientific knowledge and driving groundbreaking discoveries in brain research through fostering research activities across the institution. Founded in 1999, VBI… Read More