Program Overview

Mechanical Engineering PhD Program

The Mechanical Engineering PhD program at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is designed to empower the next generation of innovators. The program focuses on extensive, hands-on research, and students have the opportunity to work with leading experts on projects in various areas, including construction, energy, optics, rehabilitation robotics, sensors, biomechanics, water filtration, composite materials, and tribology.

Program Details

• The PhD degree requires completion of 66 graduate credits beyond the bachelor's degree.
• Some engineering students pursue their PhD after completing a master's degree, while others choose to earn a PhD instead of a master's degree.
• Students can earn Teaching Assistantships (TAs), Research Assistantships (RAs), or Fellowships during their graduate study, which helps to fund their education and build leadership skills.

Research Areas

The university is recognized as an R1 research university, and students have the opportunity to work with faculty engaged in cutting-edge research in areas such as:

• Batteries
• Energy
• Optics
• Rehab Robotics
• Sensors
• Tribology

Mechanical Engineering Research Labs

The university has a wide range of faculty-led labs that perform cutting-edge research, including:

• The Center for Sustainable Electrical Energy Systems (SEES)
• The Connected Systems Institute (CSI)
• The Energy Storage Research Laboratory
• The GRid-connected Advanced Power Electrical Systems (GRAPES)
• The Industrial Training and Assessment Center (ITAC)
• The Machine Shop
• The Movement Analysis for Biomedical Innovation & Technology (Mobility) Laboratory

Faculty

The Mechanical Engineering department has a diverse range of faculty members with expertise in various areas, including:

• Amano, Ryoichi: Professor and Director of the Industrial Assessment Center (IAC)
• Armstrong, Brian: Professor
• Avdeev, Ilya: Professor and Director of the Lubar Entrepreneurship Center (LEC)
• Chang, Woo Jin: Associate Professor
• D'Souza, Roshan: Associate Professor
• Judes, Avie: CEAS Lab Manager
• Lim, Saniel: Teaching Faculty II
• Musinski, William: Assistant Professor
• Nosonovsky, Michael: Professor
• Pillai, Krishna: Professor
• Qu, Deyang: Johnson Controls Endowed Professor in Energy Storage Research and Department Chair
• Rahman, Mohammad Habib: Professor and Department Chair
• Reisel, John: Professor and Secretary of the University
• Rohatgi, Pradeep: Distinguished Professor
• Salowitz, Nathan: Associate Professor
• Schnorenberg, Alyssa Joy: Scientist I and Associate Director of the Mobility Lab
• Slavens, Brooke: Professor and Affiliate Faculty of Biomedical Engineering and Rehabilitation Science & Technology
• Stern, Nathaniel: Professor and Director of Academic Engagement & Creative Impact
• Sung, Yongjin: Associate Professor
• Yahiaoui, Mohamed: Teaching Faculty 3
• Zhang, Xiaoxiao: Scientist I
• Zheng, Dong: Scientist III

Advising

The university provides academic advising services for graduate students, including:

• Crary, Therese: Advisor for Graduate Programs
• Packard, Robert: Advisor for Graduate Programs

External Funding Partners

The university has partnerships with external funding partners, including:

• National Academy of Sciences, Engineering & Medicine (NASEM)
• National Science Foundation (NSF)
• United States Department of Defense (USDoD)
• United States Department of Energy (USDoE)
• Regional businesses: Johnson Controls, Rockwell Automation, Harley Davidson, We Energies