Celebrating 2024-25 retirees

Thomas J. Armstrong, professor of industrial and operations engineering

Armstrong’s research focused on work design for the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders. He conducted laboratory and field studies of biomechanical factors related to muscle, tendon, and nerve disorders, such as carpal tunnel syndrome and hand/wrist tendonitis. He has received numerous awards for his commitment to worker health and safety.

Sushil K. Atreya, professor of climate and space sciences and engineering

Atreya is a leader in the origin and evolution of planetary and satellite atmospheres, climate evolution of Venus and Mars and astrobiology. He also served on numerous committees, including the Senate Advisory Committee on Academic Affairs, Rackham, CLASP graduate chair, and the CLASP Executive Committee.

Thomas J. Downar, professor of nuclear engineering and radiological sciences

Downar’s research focused on computational nuclear reactor physics with a focus on fuel management, multiphysics simulation and neutronics. He was responsible for the development and maintenance of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s advanced reactor core simulator (PARCS).

James F. Driscoll, Arthur B. Modine Professor of Engineering and professor of aerospace engineering

Driscoll’s research focused on experimental studies of fluid mechanics, fluid mixing and turbulent combustion using laser imaging diagnostics. His studies were the first to quantify supersonic fuel-air mixing. His fundamental fluid mixing measurements were used to assist in development of improved numerical simulations of fuel-air mixing in turbofan and scramjet engines for aerospace vehicles.

Wallace (Wally) Hopp, C.K. Prahalad Distinguished University Professor of Business and Engineering

Hopp’s teaching and research focused on the design, control and management of operations, with emphasis on manufacturing and supply chain systems, innovation processes and health care systems. He was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 2014 and won best teacher awards at both Northwestern University and U-M.

Benjamin J. Kuipers, professor of electrical engineering and computer science

Kuipers is a pioneer in artificial intelligence whose innovations include robot exploration and mapping methods and robotic models of developmental learning. He helped establish the U-M Robotics Institute, which later became the Robotics Department. He was also an early and leading voice on the topic of ethics in artificial intelligence and robotics.

Victor C. Li, James R. Rice Distinguished University Professor of Engineering and E. Benjamin Wylie Collegiate Professor of Civil Engineering

Li led the world in research into bendable concrete and the enhancement of the resilience and sustainability of civil infrastructures. He was the first to create a micromechanics design basis of damage-tolerant composites with the ability to self-heal. His research has impacted the building, transportation, energy and water industries in Asia, Europe and the United States.

Joyce E. Penner, Ralph J. Cicerone Distinguished University Professor of Atmospheric Science and professor of climate and space sciences and engineering

Penner’s research interests focus on climate modeling, specifically the representation of aerosols in global climate models. She has contributed to multiple reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which was awarded the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize for its series of assessment reports.

Nadine B. Sarter, Richard W. Pew Collegiate Professor of Industrial and Operations Engineering and professor of aerospace engineering

Sarter’s research focused on supporting safe and effective human-machine interaction and human-autonomy teaming by studying performance effects of system complexity, operator trust in (semi)autonomous systems, multimodal display design, interruption management, and the design of decision aids for high-tempo operations. She was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 2019.

Johannes W. Schwank, James and Judith Street Professor of Chemical Engineering

Schwank’s research interests include heterogeneous catalysis, sensor development, and the invention of new energy storage materials. He is committed to addressing global issues in food, energy and water security in resource-scarce settings, uniting students and faculty in solving real-world challenges.