Leading Innovation in Engineering & Research

Ross Smith leads the Innovation Design and Engineering Educational Laboratory (IDEELab) at Mississippi State University. He oversees cutting-edge R&D initiatives, fostering collaboration between academia and industry to drive innovation and economic growth.

Dr. Whittington focuses on enhancing workforce readiness and advancing mechanical engineering through research in system dynamics, mechanics of materials, and industrial outreach.

Dr. Bhushan is an expert in computational fluid dynamics, specializing in turbulence modeling and high-speed flow applications to address complex engineering challenges.

Dr. Li leads research on renewable energy systems and technology commercialization, integrating entrepreneurship with engineering innovation.

Dr. Jian Zhao specializes in green energy technologies, focusing on carbon capture, hydrogen fuel cells, thermochemical energy storage, and AI applications in energy research.

Dr. Liu specializes in multiphase flow and thermal systems, with expertise in nuclear reactor hydraulics and cryogenic fluid dynamics for advanced energy systems.

Dr. Korivand’s research advances AI-powered robotics for manufacturing, industrial automation, and rehabilitation, enhancing human-robot collaboration through AI and machine learning.

Aidan Duncan plays a pivotal role in advancing engineering education as the manager of IDEELab’s manufacturing shop and coordinator for America’s Cutting Edge (ACE) programs.

Alejandro is passionate about teaching practical manufacturing skills, transforming the design and manufacturing curriculum through CAD/CAM instruction and CNC programming.