MEAM Welcomes New EAB Member

John B. Heywood (pictured at left), Sun Jae Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), brings a lot of valuable experience to his role as the newest member of MEAM's External Advisory Board (EAB). He's an academician at one of the leading engineering universities in the country. He has a special interest in automobiles and the automobile industry. He has conducted research and published extensively in the area of internal combustion engines and their fuel requirements. But, as MEAM continues to explore redesigning its undergraduate and graduate curricula, one of Heywood's greatest contributions may be his experience over the past several years as chair of a committee at MIT to develop and introduce a new undergraduate curriculum in Mechanical Engineering. "It's not easy to change a curriculum and I hope I can be of help to MEAM," says Heywood, who also serves on an Engineering School advisory committee at Stanford University. "There are many good reasons to redesign undergraduate engineering curricula. Engineering is changing very rapidly. The use of computers is growing tremendously. And students are different than they used to be. In high school, they are learning broad math and science skills, but they may not be getting the depth they need to succeed today." Heywood is also interested in helping MEAM leverage its strong connections to the automobile industry, especially in Detroit. "There is a great opportunity for MEAM to diversify these connections, especially because automobile companies are doing less research in-house." Heywood received his BA degree from Cambridge University and his MS and PhD degrees from MIT. He holds a DSc from Cambridge University for his published research contributions. He has been on the faculty of MIT since 1968 and serves as director of MIT's Sloan Automotive Laboratory. He is the author of the major textbook, Internal Combustion Engine Fundamentals. He is a recipient of the 1996 U.S. Department of Transportation Award for the Advancement of Motor Vehicle Research and Development and a member of the National Academy of Engineering. Photos by MEAM CPO / Shekinah Errington Professor Heywood (far left) signs copies of his textbook, Internal Combustion Engine Fundamentals, for MEAM students during an EAB tour of the Walter E. Lay Automotive Lab in February. His book is used in ME 438 Internal Combustion Engines taught by MEAM Professor Dennis N. Assanis (second from left).