Utkuhan Genc, a Ph.D. student in Purdue University's Edwardson School of Industrial Engineering, earned third place in the graduate student oral presentation category of competition at the 2025 State of the Coast (SOC) conference for his innovative research on equitable coastal adaptation strategies. His work, "Using Equitable Access to Essential Services as Guidance for Investments in Coastal Adaptation" examines how flood damage disproportionately affects rural communities and exposes policy implications.

Cora White, a rising senior in Purdue University's Edwardson School of Industrial Engineering, has been selected as one of eight inaugural 2025 DeRocco Fellows. This prestigious advanced manufacturing fellowship empowers future women leaders through mentorship, professional development, and hands-on experience in the industry.

Professor Ferdinand F. Leimkuhler died on May 17, 2025 in Berkeley, California.

We are excited to share the latest news from the Edwardson School of Industrial Engineering in our Spring Newsletter.

From Lecture Halls to Awards Halls: Graduate Instructor Earns Top Purdue Teaching Honors

A revolutionary manufacturing method developed by the research team of Martinez at the FlexiLab has just been awarded a U.S. patent, marking a significant advancement in the field of scalable nanotechnology. The patented technique, titled Roll-to-Roll Nanoforming of Metals Using Laser-Induced Superplasticity (R2RLIS), enables the high-throughput, cost-effective production of ultrasmooth metallic nanostructures using standard CO₂ lasers and low-cost nanomolds.

Clauss honored with first place, Huffman earns honorable mention.

Each year, the Purdue Institute of Industrial & Systems Engineers (IISE) hosts the “Beautify Grissom” competition — a unique blend of artistic expression and engineering insight. Since 2013, IE students have taken to the canvas to explore what Industrial Engineering means to them, with winning works proudly displayed in Grissom Hall to inspire current and future students alike.

Presented by the Tau Beta Pi Indiana Alpha Chapter, this award recognizes the individual in the initiating class who has made the most significant contributions to the chapter. Contributions are evaluated based on involvement in social, professional development, and service events throughout the semester.

Professor Gary Cheng and his team— have been selected the ASME Blackall Machine Tool and Gage Award for the paper titled "Nanoengineered Laser Shock Processing via Pulse Shaping for Nanostructuring in Metals: Multiscale simulations and experiments".

Biller, Harold T. Amrine Distinguished Professor, is the inaugural recipient of the award.

The BraunAbility team, which also won first place at the IE431 poster session in April, earned the Best Poster award at the competition hosted by George Mason University.

Edwardson School of Industrial Engineering well represented at awards luncheon

In recognition of her outstanding academic performance and social concern, Allie was awarded the prestigious Helfert Award. This award is given annually to juniors in the College of Engineering or the College of Science who demonstrate academic excellence and a commitment to social responsibility.

Professor Wenzhuo Wu has been chosen by the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine for the U.S. Africa Frontiers Fellowship.