Outstanding Mechanical Engineer Awards
Friday, October 11, 2024
6:00PM-9:00PM
The Convergence Center
101 Foundry Dr, West Lafayette, IN
Every year, the School of Mechanical Engineering at Purdue University recognizes alumni who have demonstrated excellence in industry, academia, governmental service, or other endeavors related to mechanical engineering. Honorees have shown outstanding character and leadership and have accomplished great things. Since 1991, 327 of our alumni have been honored with the prestigious Outstanding Mechanical Engineer Award.
Congratulations to all our 2024 OME recipients for showing us the best that Mechanical Engineering has to offer!
Eckhard Groll
William E. and Florence E. Perry Head and Reilly Professor of Mechanical Engineering
David Altenau | David Go | Moohyung Lee | César Lozano Villareal | Stacey McCarthy | Michael McCracken | Kevin Mercer | Brent Rankin | Michael Schrader | Melanie Sprague | Kartik Srinivasan | Sven Strohband
DAVID ALTENAU
Founder and Chairman, Pitch Black Company
BSME 1988
David Altenau is the original founder and current Chairman of the Pitch Black Company, which is the parent company of FuseFX, Folks VFX, Rising Sun Pictures, and El Ranchito. He has a 30 year history in the visual effects industry and his work has garnered multiple Emmy and Visual Effects Society awards.
Altenau began his career in San Francisco in 1989, after obtaining a degree in mechanical engineering from Purdue University, and taking his first professional position doing CG visualization and accident reconstruction for a forensic engineering firm. He went on to do computer graphics for advertising in Chicago and then was a senior computer graphic artist for Warner Digital Studios in Los Angeles, where he contributed to several tentpole films such as Eraser, Mars Attacks! and Batman & Robin.
Altenau continued his career with Pacific Title and then Cinesite Hollywood, receiving an Emmy Nomination for his work on From the Earth to the Moon and working on Hollywood Blockbusters such as X-Men, X-Men II, Thirteen Days, and The 6th Day.
In the early 2000s, Altenau's focus shifted from feature films to episodic projects, and he became the visual effects supervisor for popular series such as American Horror Story, Carnivale, Deadwood, K-Ville, The Unit, Lie to Me, United States of Tara, and Criminal Minds. In 2014, he won an Emmy Award for his work on American Horror Story with his team at FuseFX. After founding and leading FuseFX from 2006 to 2018, then the Fuse Group until 2022, he helped rebrand and create the Pitch Black Company, where he currently holds the title as Founder and Chairman of the Board. The Pitch Black Company has worked on films nad series such as Loki, Barbie, and Society of the Snow.
DAVID GO
Viola D. Hank Professor of Aerospace & Mechanical Engineering & Vice President & Associate Provost for Academic Strategy, University of Notre Dame
PhD 2008
In his current role as Vice President & Associate Provost for Academic Strategy, Professor Go leads the implementation of the academic elements of the university's strategic framework (Notre Dame 2033: A Strategic Framework), including launching multiple university-wide research and education initiatives, and oversees several university centers and institutes. He also manages all tenure-line faculty appointments and is responsible for the university's reappointment, promotion, and tenure process.
Prior to joining Notre Dame in 2008, Professor Go received his B.S. in mechanical engineering from the University of Notre Dame (2001), M.S. in aerospace engineering from the University of Cincinnati through the Edison Engineering Development Program at G.E. Aviation (2004), and Ph.D. degree in mechanical engineering from Purdue University (2008). Professor Go's research is in the thermal-fluid sciences, and he has published widely in the areas of plasma science and engineering, heat transfer and fluid dynamics, and chemical analysis.
He holds seven patents or patent applications, leading to two licensed technologies, one of which led to a start-up purchased by Siemens. Professor Go has been recognized with the Air Force Office of Scientific Research Young Investigator Research Award, the National Science Foundation CAREER award, the Electrochemistry Society Toyota Young Investigator Fellowship, the Electrostatics Society of America Rising Star and Distinguished Service Awards, and the IEEE Nuclear & Plasma Sciences Society Early Achievement Award. He is an ASME Fellow, Senior Member of IEEE, and former President of the Electrostatics Society of America. At Notre Dame, Professor Go has received the Rev. Edmund P. Joyce, C.S.C. Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching and Learning Faculty Fellow, and was named runner up for the 1st Source Bank Commercialization Award.
MOOHYUNG LEE
Executive Vice President, Samsung Electronics
PhD 2004
Moohyung Lee received his PhD in mechanical engineering from Purdue University where he specialized in sound field visualization at Ray W. Herrick Laboratories. While at Purdue, Lee published eight archival journal articles, eleven conference articles and presentations, one book and one issued patent. He was also the winner of the Institute of Noise Control Engineering Student Paper Competition.
After graduation, Lee went to work for the Samsung Electronics Digital Appliances Business and has been there ever since. He started off as the Noise and Vibration Part Leader for the Advanced R&D team, then led the Refrigerator R&D group and is now leading the Living Product R&D group. He is currently Corporate Executive Vice President at Samsung Electronics in Korea where he also leads the Digital Appliance Research and Development team.
During Dr. Lee's tenure, Samsung has reached the No. 1 position in market share in the premium refrigerator market. In 2013, Dr. Lee led the team that developed a refrigerator with porcelain lined compartments, which provide excellent antimicrobial characteristics, absorb fewer odors, and ensure minimal temperature variation. He also initiated a new trend and brand in appliances with 'Bespoke' capability giving users the ability to custom design their space. Dr.Lee developed large capacity clothes dryers, that include three stage microfilters to reduce dust accumulation in the dryer vents.
More recently, he started to lead the group that is integrating AI tools to create a holistic clothing cleaning and management system that integrates the washer, dryer, and air dresser.
During his time at Samsung, Dr. Lee's leadership has resulted in various Consumer Electronic Show innovation awards and two Environmental Protection Agency Emerging Technology awards. He is also the co-inventor of eleven patents for Samsung Electronics.
CÉSAR LOZANO VILLAREAL
Distinguished Engineer, Apple
BSME 2006
César graduated with his Bachelor of Science Degree in mechanical engineering from Purdue University and his Master of Product Design and Development from Northwestern University. He has also earned his Six Sigma Black Belt Certification.
After graduating from Purdue, César went on to work for Motorola Mobile Devices as a Senior Mechanical Engineer while earning his masters degree at the same time. He then went to work for Apple as a Senior Manager in Product Design where he led efforts in exploration, architecture, detailed design and execution of products and systems involving AC/DC conversion, power distribution, and charging.
Currently, César is a Distinguished Engineer for Apple working in hardware engineering, and more specifically power product design.
STACEY MCCARTHY
Vice President, Business Development and Quality, Bascom Hunter Technologies Inc
MSE 1995
Stacey McCarthy received her Bachelor of Science Degree from the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics at Purdue, and her Master of Science Degree from Purdue's School of Mechanical Engineering, where her research focused on active noise control of turbomachinery.
Stacey currently serves as Vice President of Business Development and Quality at Bascom Hunter Technologies. She has 30 years combined experience in Executive Management, Quality Management Systems, Program Management and Engineering. She leads the Bascom Hunter team through business development, strategic planning, product ideation, and transition from R&D to production. Stacey has acted as Primary Investigator for multiple SBIR's including development of a Low Noise Kit (LNK) Fan for the HMMWV combat vehicle. In previous roles, Stacey served as VP of Programs, Director of Engineering and Senior Principal Engineer, specializing in design of low noise fans.
Her breadth of experience includes work in aerospace, defense, and automotive industries spanning from aeroacoustics of turbomachinery to diesel engine technology, while leading cross functional teams to rapid deployment of solutions through validation to manufacturing. Stacey has received a US patent for fan design with integral acoustic treatment while leading the engineering team to secure over a dozen patents for Bascom Hunter.
MICHAEL MCCRACKEN
Chief Executive Officer at Freedom Energy
BSME 1999, MSME 2001, PhD 2004
Michael McCracken earned his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in mechanical engineering and his PhD in computer science and engineering from Purdue University.
After graduation, Michael went on to work for ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company as an Engineering Specialist. He started off his career by working on a simple reservoir model builder and then moved to real time asset management and reservoir simulation consulting. He was also a research team lead and software project lead during his time at ExxonMobil.
Michael then went on to work for Pioneer Natural Resources where he was a Staff Reservoir Engineer. It was in this position that he coordinated the Eagle Ford Development Plan which had a huge impact on the company.
After that, he became Vice President of Development/Development Mangeer for Enduro Resource Partners where he led a team of nine direct reports and several external consultants. He was responsible for reservoir engineering and geology for all company assets. Michael has since been a Chief Operating Officer and Chief Executive Officer at a range of oil and gas companies. He is currently at Freedom Energy where he leads a team through the recapitalization of Stateline assets.
Michael also has nine publications, one of them being recognized as a top five most accessed International Journal of Modern Physics C publication. He currently has two patents and three pending patent applications.
KEVIN MERCER
Senior Principal Engineer, Rheem Manufacturing Co.
MSME 2003
Kevin earned his Bachelor of Science Degree from Texas Tech University and his Master of Science Degree in mechanical engineering from Purdue University. He is now a Senior Principal Engineer for Rheem Manufacturing Co. where he is responsible for work on the DX split system, AC, and heat pump development.
Prior to that, Kevin worked in a range of positions from Split Systems Engineer, to Engineering Manager at companies like Trane, Carrier Corporation, Modine Manufacturing Co., and ACR Engineering. He was also an Adjunct Professor for a semester at the University of Texas at Tyler, where he taught Thermodynamics II. While in these positions, Kevin had the opportunity to travel to seven different countries for work-related projects.
Kevin has been an active member of ASHRAE since 2015. Currently, he is the Chair of the Technical Activities Committee. He's won numerous awards such as the Rheem President's Award, the Carrier Inventor of the Year (2020) Award, the Carrier Innovation Award, the Quarterly President's Award, Annual Chairman's Award, and an ASHRAE/AHR Innovation Award. Opticlean, a project he led, won a Time Magazine Best Invention of 2020 award. Kevin has been granted 28 patents and currently has more than 25 public patents pending.
BRENT RANKIN
Senior Research Engineer, Air Force Research Laboratory
BSME 2008, MSME 2010, PhD 2012
Dr. Brent Rankin is a Senior Research Engineer in the Combustion Branch, Turbine Engine Division, Aerospace Systems Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. He leads the combustion research and development team to conduct fundamental combustion research, develop emerging combustion systems, and enable future propulsion capabilities. Brent has guided multiple basic research, applied research, and advanced technology development programs to provide new insights into combustion systems by applying state-of-the-art optical diagnostics and modeling, simulation, and analysis techniques. His contributions have been instrumental for enhancing the performance of current technologies such as gas turbine combustors and augmentors and for advancing next-generation technologies such as rotating detonation engines.
He has authored more than 110 articles in archival journals and conference proceedings. Brent has served as the Special Assistant to the Chief Scientist of the Air Force at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. In this role, he made significant contributions to the development of the Air Force Science and Technology Strategy which provides a new vision, strategic direction, and guiding principles for the Air Force science and technology enterprise.
Brent has received several national recognitions including the National Academy of Engineering National Research Council Fellowship for conducting outstanding independent research and the Air Force Research Laboratory Early Career Award for exceptional scientific and engineering accomplishments within the first seven years of his career. He is a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA).
MICHAEL SCHRADER
Executive Fellow at Harvard Business School
BSME 2004
Michael Schrader is currently an Executive Fellow at Harvard Business School, supporting student entrepreneurs in the launch of new ventures in the life science and tough tech sectors.
From 2012 through early 2024, he served as the co-founder and CEO of Vaxess, a company bringing healthcare out of the clinic and into patients' lives with the MIMIX patch platform. Vaxess achieved key milestones including signing lucrative partnerships with industry leaders such as Astra Zeneca, raising more than $80M in funding from partners such as RA Capital and the Gates Foundation, building a fifty-person development team, opening an advanced GMP manufacturing plant, completing a successful Phase I clinical trial, and building a pipline of high-value products.
Prior to Vaxess, Michael spent time at Google and Honda where he helped bring a range of products such as the Google Chromebook and Honda Pilot to market. He has earned more than fifteen patents with innovations spanning the transportation, technology, and life science sectors.
Michael has served as an advisor to several startups including Ally Therapeutics and Adeo Health Sciences. He also serves as an Expert-In-Residence at the Harvard Office of Technology Development and as a Key Advisory Board Member for the Harvard Blavatnik Fellowship program.
MELANIE SPRAGUE
Senior Vice President, Healthcare PMO and Applications, Spectrum Plastics Group
BSME 1998
Melanie graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering and was also part of the co-op program where she worked for DePuy, J&J Medical Devices and Zimmer Biomet.
After graduation, she went on to excel as a Process Engineer for Abbott Laboratories. She then went to work for Xeriderm Medical Devices as a Project Engineer, Quality Engineer, and Product Development Engineer where she made a lasting impact on the company. During her time as a Product Development Engineer she led fourteen projects over a three year period. She has since risen through the ranks of Spectrum Plastics Group (a DuPont business) and is currently the Senior Vice President for Healthcare PMO and Applications Engineering. Previously, she was the Senior Vice President for Interventional and Surgical Technologies.
Melanie was inducted into the Purdue Co-op Hall of Fame, has earned two Impact Awards, received the Perserverence Award from the CEO of Spectrum Plastics and was nominated for Plastics News, Women Breaking the Mold. Melanie is also trained in Design for Six Sigma.
KARTIK SRINIVASAN
Principal Engineer, Intel
MSME 2005, PhD 2008
Kartik Srinivasan joined Intel in 2009 after receiving his Ph.D. and Master of Science in mechanical engineering from Purdue University.
Kartik is currently a Principal Engineer in the Assembly and Test Technology Development (ATTD) organization at Intel in Chandler, Arizona. Kartik guides a team in chip attach process development and R&D for Intel's Advanced Packaging product offerings. Kartik was also a key member in a team that developed Intel's EMIB (Embedded Multi-Die Interconnect Bridge) advanced packaging technology that has become a key enabler for Intel's advanced packaging roadmap.
For this effort, Kartik was awarded an Intel Achievement Award, Intel's highest recognition. Over the last 15 years, Kartik has led process development and high-volume ramp of multiple key products at Intel and is a recipient of over twenty department-level awards. Kartik has co-authored over twenty papers in journals/conference proceedings and has filed multiple patents. In his spare time, Kartik enjoys spending time with family, traveling to new places and reading.
SVEN STROHBAND
Partner and Managing Director, Khosla Ventures
BSME 1997
Sven holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in mechanical engineering from Purdue University and a PhD in mechanics and computation from Stanford University.
He is currently a Partner and Managing Director at Khosla Ventures, where he led the firm's early investments in Berkshire Grey, GitLab, Hermeus and Rocket Lab, among others. An engineer at heart, Sven is passionate about technologies that forge new industries and accelerate novel user experiences.
Previously, he led technical diligence for six years at Mohr Davidow Ventures for the infrastructure IT and sustainability practices. He also worked across the portfolio to recruit technical talent, run product-market fit experiments and develop fundraising strategies.
Prior to that, Sven led technical projects at the Electronics Research Lab of Volkswagen, ranging from LED front lighting and electrochromic glass to driver-assistance systems and robotics.
He was also lead engineer and project lead for the Stanford racing team's autonomous car Stanley, which won the 2005 DARPA Grand Challenge. Now featured at the Smithsonian Museum, Stanley was the foundation for Google's self-driving car efforts. He also co-founded and was CEO of AI company Metamind, which is now a key component of Salesforce's AI product Einstein.
Sven also sits on the board of numerous companies including Berkshire Grey, Rocket Lab, Velo3D, Waabi, and ThoughtSpot.