George J. Delagrammatikas has been appointed as an Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, California, joining the faculty in September 2003.
Among his responsibilities are teaching a junior-level class in Heat Transfer; a senior-level class in Hybrid Electric Vehicle Design; and Internal Combustion Engine Design: Parts I and II, for seniors and graduate students. He is also the first Donald E. Bently Professor in advanced energy systems, a position which allows him to further develop his skills as a researcher. In addition, he advises the FutureTruck and Solar Car Teams.
"I had explored about a dozen other schools," said Delagrammatikas. "CalPoly was the only school that offered me the opportunity to develop an automotive engineering program and direct the Engine Laboratory. The position seemed too perfect to pass up."
Delagrammatikas, who earned an MS ME (1996) and a PhD (2001: A Design Optimization Methodology for Advanced and Hybrid, Diesel-based Automotive Powertrains) from the University of Michigan, has carved an exceptional resume in a relatively short time.
After having received his doctorate in ME, he was actively involved in developing a neural network methodology for the optimal design of turbocharged diesel engines. He was also part of a team investigating surrogate modeling methods for automotive applications.
Delagrammatikas was a program assistant for a graduate seminar series in automotive engineering, in which he mentored 65 students in a web-based distance learning network. He adopted further mentoring responsibilities as class adviser in a design optimization course. His contributions to the field were recognized with the ScholarPower 2002 PhD Recognition Award. He is also the co-author of numerous papers.
Prior to coming to ME, he attended MIT, where he received his BS in Mechanical Engineering. While there, he was an undergraduate researcher for the Solar-Electric Vehicle Team, the Sunrayce national champions in 1995.
Delagrammatikas gave full credit to his education at ME for preparing him to reach his goals, mentioning that his adviser, ME Department Chair Professor Dennis Assanis, was particularly helpful. He also credited co-adviser Professor Panos Papalambros, Associate Research Scientists Zoran Filipi and Loucas Louca, and former Associate Research Scientist Nestor Michelena (who died in 2003) for their help.
His interest in mechanical engineering is a family affair. "It's a field I've been passionate about since I was a kid," said Delagrammatikas. "My father first opened my eyes to mechanical engineering, and especially engine technologies, through his work as a marine engineer.
"I had been interested in pursuing a career in automotive engineering well before applying to ME at Michigan. Why would I apply anywhere else?"
Has he found any surprises since he joined the faculty at CalPoly?
"I've only now come to appreciate all the hard work it takes to be a professor. Incidentally, it's especially comforting to walk outside in the middle of December without having to bundle up."