Happenings
Happenings Spring 2026
Auburn to construct world-class engineering lab, expand nation’s largest student-run makerspace 
Applied Research Institute advances defense innovation through Army partnership 
Auburn engineers key part of historic Artemis II mission 
Collari named executive director of development for engineering 
Applied Research Institute names NASA veteran chief engineer 
Auburn Engineering honors student named as Goldwater Scholar 
Apple CEO, Auburn alumnus elected to National Academy of Engineering 
Human Systems Integration Center adopts new name reflecting people-centered research 
Highway Research Center marks 40 years of engineering innovation and statewide impact 
Auburn Engineering jumps two spots to No. 18 in latest U.S. News online graduate program rankings 
Auburn Engineering’s online cybersecurity engineering graduate program ranked No. 7 nationally 
Auburn’s Electronics Packaging Research Institute leads AI revolution in semiconductor packaging 
Auburn engineers construct floating golf green at Opelika venue 
NCAME expands defense supply chain research through industry partnerships 
NCAT inducts industry leader into Wall of Honor 
ICAMS to launch statewide satellite model to expand advanced manufacturing access across Alabama 
ICAMS featured in NASCAR race at Talladega Superspeedway 
Chemical engineering assistant professor earns $875K DOE Early Career Award 
AUTRI receives $1.9M to study smart tire technology for highway safety 
ECE professor joins $1.5M effort to strengthen AI’s mathematical foundations 
CEE associate professors studying drilling data to improve road safety 
NSF backs Auburn-led research into rewriting rules of metallic materials 
CEE professor awarded $350,000 for pedestrian safety research 
Mechanical engineering associate professor reports nanophotonics breakthrough 
hemical engineering professor studies methane-eating microbe with DOE collaboration 
Chemical engineering assistant professor earns $298K USDA-NIFA grant to study plant water redistribution 
ASEL advances faster steel construction with AISC-funded drop-in connection research 
Aerospace engineering professor to track orbits in cislunar space 
Materials engineering assistant professor studies ‘holy grail’ of methane catalysis 
Engineering faculty receive NSF grant for undergraduate research program 
Electrical and computer engineering associate professor earns ADECA grant for 6G research 
CEE assistant professor developing early warning system for ground movement 
Chemical engineering professors part of $300K methane reduction project 
NASA astronaut and Auburn alumna Jan Davis honored with IQLA Lifetime Achievement Award 
NCAT director named inaugural Wilson Distinguished Professor 
Auburn Engineering dean appointed vice chair of AIChE Foundation Board of Trustees 
Chemical engineering professor elected to American Association for the Advancement of Science Class of 2025 Fellows 
ECE associate professor named NAI senior member 
Aerospace engineering professor earns fourth Abe Zarem Educator Award 
AUTRI director receives national transportation lifetime achievement award 
Three Auburn Engineering professors earn university Faculty Awards 
CEE professor honored with ACI Boase Award 
AUBURN ENGINEERING NEWS
- Chen appointed materials engineering program chair May 26, 2026Pengyu Chen, the Francis Family Professor and Ginn Faculty Achievement Fellow in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, will assume the role of materials engineering program chair on July 1.
- #GINNing Podcast: Orange Beach and Navy May 22, 2026Last week, we heard from Roland Walker of the famed Walkers of Orange Beach. This week, hear the other side of the story, as brother Bill sets the record straight on what Roland got wrong. Bill’s blood runs Auburn colors, from Orange Beach to the Navy. This commander was forged by the sea, and now […]
- Aerospace engineering graduate student earns consecutive AIAA honors for vortex rocket engine research May 19, 2026Auburn aerospace engineering graduate student Patrick Eid earned consecutive AIAA honors for award-winning vortex rocket engine research.