Each year, the U-M Department of Mechanical Engineering recognizes undergraduate and graduate students who have demonstrated excellence in research, in academics, in leadership, and/or in the embodiment of the character and leadership critical to a successful career in mechanical engineering through a series of awards, scholarships, and fellowships.
The 2023 U-M Mechanical Engineering Spring Awards Banquet was held last Wednesday, April 19th in the G.G. Brown Laboratory Building on U-M’s North Campus. Continue below for more information and to read an acceptance quote from each award winner. Photos from the event can be viewed on the U-M Mechanical Engineering’s Flickr Page.
Undergraduate Students
Nina Makhlouf
J.A. Bursley Mechanical Engineering Award, awarded to a mechanical engineering Student with senior standing who demonstrates, by scholastic record and leadership abilities in extracurricular activities, unusual promise of developing into a leader in this profession.
“I’m elated to receive the J.A. Bursley Mechanical Engineering Award. I’m very thankful for all the fantastic mentors that have helped guide me while at Michigan and for my extracurriculars, namely SWE, for providing me with such a great community and opportunity for leadership growth.”
Jamie Blatnikoff
Robert M. Caddell Memorial Scholarship, awarded to mechanical engineering students with junior or senior standing that have performed outstanding research on materials and/or manufacturing.
“I am overjoyed to have been awarded the Robert M. Caddell Memorial Scholarship. I am grateful for the experiences on the Michigan Concrete Canoe Team that gave me the opportunity to engage in collaborative design and construction processes. I hope to utilize the knowledge I’ve gained in materials and manufacturing to enhance our infrastructure in the future.”
Tori Caracciolo
Robert M. Caddell Memorial Scholarship, awarded to mechanical engineering students with junior or senior standing that have performed outstanding research on materials and/or manufacturing.
“I am so honored to receive the Robert M. Caddell Memorial Scholarship. I would like to thank Jeff Sakamoto for the opportunity to do research in the Battery Lab and Alex Moy for being my mentor and always supporting me. I hope to apply what I have learned to my future pursuits in mechanical engineering.”
Shreya Jain
Robert M. Caddell Memorial Scholarship, awarded to mechanical engineering students with junior or senior standing that have performed outstanding research on materials and/or manufacturing.
“I am honored to receive the Robert M. Caddell Memorial Scholarship! Thanks to the trust and mentorship of several members of the department, I have been given countless opportunities to progress my interests in material and manufacturing engineering. It’s a privilege to be recognized by the ME department for this growth, and I could not be more thankful that this program invests in its students.”
Alanna Smith
Robert M. Caddell Memorial Scholarship, awarded to mechanical engineering students with junior or senior standing that have performed outstanding research on materials and/or manufacturing.
“I am honored to be recognized with the Robert M. Caddell Memorial Scholarship. Throughout my time at Michigan, the ME department has supported my many interests in materials research and the aerospace industry. I would like to thank my mentors and peers who have made it possible for me to continue this passion for a Materials Science Masters program.”
Ruitao Su
Robert M. Caddell Memorial Scholarship, awarded to mechanical engineering students with junior or senior standing that have performed outstanding research on materials and/or manufacturing.
“Receiving the Robert M. Caddell Memorial Scholarship is an incredible honor and validation of my hard work and dedication. This award has motivated me to continue pursuing my academic and professional goals. I am grateful for the instruction and guidance from mentors I’ve met so far, and support and recognition from the ME department. I hope to use this scholarship to further my education and make meaningful contributions to the field of mechanical engineering.”
Nisan Yevdaev
Lloyd H. Donnell Scholarship Fund, awarded to a mechanical engineering student who has demonstrated excellence in mechanics.
“I am very grateful to receive the Lloyd H. Donnell Scholarship Fund Award. I will use this scholarship to help pay for the Master’s degree that I will be pursuing through the SUGS program next year and appreciate everyone who has supported me these past few years.”
James Brynn
R & B Machine Tool Company Scholarship, awarded to mechanical engineering students who are residents of the State of Michigan with Junior or Senior standing in Mechanical Engineering with a strong GPA and a study focus on Materials and/or Manufacturing.
“I am deeply honored to be the recipient of the R & B Machine Tool Company Scholarship. This generous award will help me pursue my passion in engineering and develop my skills in the field and I look forward to making the most of this incredible opportunity.”
Jessica Dillon
R & B Machine Tool Company Scholarship, awarded to mechanical engineering students who are residents of the State of Michigan with Junior or Senior standing in Mechanical Engineering with a strong GPA and a study focus on Materials and/or Manufacturing.
“I am honored to receive the R & B Machine Tool Company Scholarship. I am graduating this spring, and this award will help me continue growing my knowledge about the materials and manufacturing space throughout my Mechanical Engineering master’s program in the fall. I look forward to continuing my education at the University of Michigan and making an impact in the advanced manufacturing industry during an upcoming internship this summer.”
Max Mancini
R & B Machine Tool Company Scholarship, awarded to mechanical engineering students who are residents of the State of Michigan with Junior or Senior standing in Mechanical Engineering with a strong GPA and a study focus on Materials and/or Manufacturing.
“I am honored to receive the R & B Tool Company Scholarship. I am very grateful for the opportunity I have had to develop my skills as a Michigan engineer, and I hope to make a difference in the forefront of new manufacturing technologies.”
Sarah Kreitman
R & B Machine Tool Company Scholarship, awarded to mechanical engineering students who are residents of the State of Michigan with Junior or Senior standing in Mechanical Engineering with a strong GPA and a study focus on Materials and/or Manufacturing.
“I am honored to receive the R & B Machine Tool Company Scholarship. I have loved learning about manufacturing through the Mechanical Engineering department and am excited to apply what I’ve learned in my career!”
Colton Barry
Mechanical Engineering Spirit Award, awarded to a deserving mechanical engineering senior or seniors who best embody the character and leadership critical to a successful career in mechanical engineering.
“I am very honored and grateful to receive the Mechanical Engineering Department Spirit Award! Being the recipient of this award is one of my proudest accomplishments and I promise to continue to serve as a role model and leader in the mechanical engineering community.”
Hunter Gandee
Mechanical Engineering Spirit Award, awarded to a deserving mechanical engineering senior or seniors who best embody the character and leadership critical to a successful career in mechanical engineering.
“I am deeply honored to receive the Mechanical Engineering Department Spirit Award. Throughout my time in the program, the department has equipped me with a versatile skill set that includes technical knowledge, problem-solving abilities, and leadership skills. I am excited to take these skills into my future career and use them to make a positive impact in the places I go.”
Maureen Thomas
S. Jack Hu Family and Friends Undergraduate Research Award, awarded to support one or more undergraduate Mechanical Engineering students, who demonstrate outstanding academic performance and a keen interest in research, to engage in research with faculty in Mechanical Engineering.
“I am honored to receive the S. Jack Hu Family and Friends Undergraduate Research Award. Thank you to my mentors Dr. James Holly Jr. and Dr. Colleen van Lent for the support and guidance through my college career. I am excited to continue my research in Black Studies + Engineering Education to transform Mechanical Engineering for the future generations.”
John Yu
RISE Best Paper FA 22
“I’m honored to receive the RISE Best Paper FA 22 Award. My research has benefited from the wisdom of great mentors and dedication to making the world work better. I hope to take the same wisdom and dedication with me as I graduate and enter the industry.”
Alexander Netzley
RISE Best Paper WN 22
“I am honored to receive the RISE Best Paper WN 22 award. I’d like to thank my mentors Jamie Ferris and Professor Noel Perkins for allowing me to work with them on an exciting research project, and their guidance throughout the process. I’m excited to use the research skills I gained as I move onward in my career!”
Graduate Students
Bachir Abeid
Alexander Azarkhin Fellowship
“I am honored and delighted to receive the Alexander Azakhin Scholarship. The award has allowed me to continue pursuing my personal and professional goals, and has given me the confidence that my work — both in and out of the lab — does not go unnoticed.”
Nathaly Villacis Nunez
Alexander Azarkhin Fellowship
“I am honored to receive the Alexander Azarkhin Fellowship. Applying solid mechanics concepts in the medical field has been a challenging yet rewarding experience, and I am grateful that Dr. Azarkhin helps me continue working on this mission.”
Pranjal Shiva
William Mirsky Memorial Fellowship
“I am grateful to receive the William Mirsky Memorial Fellowship. I am inspired by the research accomplished by mechanical engineers. I hope to live by the university’s values of giving back to the community.”
Chenyi Zhu
William Mirsky Memorial Fellowship
“I am delighted to receive the William Mirsky Memorial Fellowship. Thank you for the support of the Mechanical Engineering Department and my faculty advisor. “
Mariana Masteling Pereira
Ivor K. McIvor Award
“I am very grateful to receive the Ivor K. McIvor Award. It is an honor have my work on the frontier of (bio)mechanics and women’s health recognized by this award.”
Zhenkun Lin
Ivor K. McIvor Award
“I am honored and excited to receive the Ivor K. McIvor Award. Being recognized for my research and achievements makes me happy and grateful. I am also very thankful to my mentors and university colleagues for their constant encouragement and support. After graduation, I want to utilize my knowledge and skills to improve our world.”
Robert M. Caddell Memorial Awards for Research
The Robert M. Caddell Memorial Awards for Research are given to Faculty/Graduate student teams which have jointly made significant contributions to research in the areas of materials and/or manufacturing. Three Mechanical Engineering teams are recognized this year with this award.
Chuan He, Keval S. Ramani, and Professor Chinedum Okwudire
“We are happy to receive this award. We would like to thank the University of Michigan and the Department of Mechanical Engineering for their support and recognition of our work through this award. Our work on SmartScan has helped to improve part quality in laser powder bed fusion through the use of intelligent controllers, that use simple thermal models and optimization rather than heuristics. We hope that this award will provide an impetus for simple and practical solutions in manufacturing, that can make a difference to the community.”
Professor Mihaela Banu, Metin Kayitmazbatir, and Manikandan Pandiyan
Professor Wei Lu and Tianhan Gao
“We are very delighted to receive the Robert M. Caddell Memorial Award for Research and sincerely grateful for the recognition. We would like to express our profound honor and thankfulness.”