Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology

Faculty Directory

John Irwin

John L. Irwin

  • Professor and Chair, Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology
  • Affiliated Professor, Cognitive and Learning Sciences
  • Director, Research and Innovation in STEAM Education Institute (RISE)

Research Interests

  • Problem-based learning methods applied in the areas of CAD/CAM
  • Static and dynamic model simulation
  • Product and manufacturing work cell verification

Teaching Interests

  • Parametric Modeling
  • Statics and Strength of Materials
  • Product Design and Development
  • CAE and FEA Methods
  • Computer-aided Manufacturing
  • Senior Design
Gretchen Hein

Gretchen L. Hein

  • Associate Teaching Professor, Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology
  • Faculty Advisor, Society of Women Engineers

Research Interests

  • Engineering Education
  • Persistence in STEM fields

Teaching Interests

  • Blended Learning Methods
  • Technology in the Classroom
Nicholas Hendrickson

Nicholas V. Hendrickson

  • Professor of Practice, Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology
  • Director, Machining and Additive Manufacturing Facilities
  • Faculty Advisor, Advanced Metalworks Enterprise

Research Interests

  • Automation of manufacturing processes
  • Additive, subtractive, hybrid manufacturing systems

Teaching Interests

  • Fundamentals of Machine Tool Technology
  • Computer Aided Manufacturing
  • Applied Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing
  • Design for Additive Manufacturing
Kevin Johnson

Kevin M. Johnson

  • Assistant Teaching Professor, Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology
  • Faculty Advisor, SAE Baja Enterprise

Research Interests

  • Research Interests
  • Hydraulics
  • Vibrations/Modal Analysis

Teaching Interests

  • Applied fluid power
  • Statics
  • Dynamics
  • Vibrations
David Labyak

David M. Labyak

  • Assistant Professor, Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology
  • Faculty Advisor, Advanced Metalworks Enterprise

Research Interests

  • Biomechanics—Solid Mechanics
    • Head Impacts
    • Helmet Performance and Design
  • Solid Mechanics
    • Finite Element Analysis and Vibration Analysis

Specialties

  • Understanding football helmet design and performance
  • Solid mechanics and finite element analysis methods
  • Helping student groups (such as Baha and Clean Snowmobile) with design and analysis of components
  • Vibration analysis
  • Shock analysis methods
  • Youth Hockey Coaching Do’s and Don’ts
Sunil Mehendale
"The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing."
—Socrates

Sunil S. Mehendale

  • Associate Professor, Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology

Research Interests

  • Computational fluid dynamics
  • Boiling and condensing flows
  • Two-phase flow distribution in heat exchangers
  • Novel heat exchanger technology
  • Heat exchanger modeling and optimization
  • Novel thermodynamic cycles for cooling, heating, and power
  • Alternative energy technology (solar, wind, biofuels, and others)
  • High-efficiency HVAC and refrigeration systems

Teaching Interests

  • Fluid mechanics
  • Thermodynamics
  • Heat transfer
  • Alternative energy
  • Air-conditioning and refrigeration
  • Dynamics
Scott Wagner

Scott W. Wagner

  • Associate Professor, Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology

Research Interests

  • Micro metal forming manufacturing
  • Micro scale hydroforming operations

Teaching Interests

  • Applied thermodynamics and heat transfer
  • Industrial safety management
  • Integrated design and manufacturing
  • Materials science
  • Statics and strength of materials
David Wanless

David D. Wanless

  • Associate Teaching Professor, Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology
  • Graduate Program Director, Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology

Research Interests

  • Leader development
  • Electric vehicles
  • Ethical theory and applications

Teaching Interests

  • Applied fluid power
  • Computer-cyber ethics and policy
  • Internal-combustion engines
  • Leadership in complex organizations
  • Quality techniques
  • Senior design