This year's new faculty expertise spans many engineering spectrums, from writing equations for the Mars Curiosity Mission at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory to validating novel gene targets for the normalization of breast cancer. One was honored at the White House for research exploring geotechnical engineering issues; and another is working toward furthering the capabilities of nano-enabled energy storage devices.
Behcet Acikmese
Assistant Professor
Department of Aerospace Engineering & Engineering Mechanics
Behcet Acikmese joined the Cockrell School of Engineering from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), where he worked as a technologist. He was also a lecturer in California Institute of Technology's Division of Engineering and Applied Science, Aerospace Engineering.
At JPL, he developed new Guidance, Navigation and Control (GN&C) technologies for next generation planetary landing missions, formation flying and the exploration of comets and asteroids. He was also a member of the Mars Science Laboratory's EDL (Entry, Descent and Landing) GN&C team, where he was responsible for developing the algorithms for the fly away maneuver of the MSL sky crane.
His research interests include onboard GN&C of complex autonomous systems, with the objective to develop GN&C methods that operate autonomous systems in highly dynamic uncertain environments.
Acikmese received his doctorate from Purdue University's School of Aeronautics and Astronautics and his master's degree from Purdue's School of Mechanical Engineering. He received his bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the Middle East Technical University in Ankara, Turkey.
What attracted you to The University of Texas at Austin?
The academic quality and the reputation of the school and Austin make it a very attractive place to live.
What are your impressions of Austin so far?
I am satisfied in terms of what I expected.
What are your favorite hobbies outside of work?
Playing sports (basketball and volleyball), cinema, fine dining and music.
François Baccelli
Professor and Simons Chair in Mathematics and Electrical and Computer Engineering
Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering
François Baccelli joined the Cockrell School of Engineering from INRIA-Paris, where he led the research group on network theory and held an academic appointment in computer science at Ecole Normale Supérieure in Paris. At UT, he has a dual appointment in the College of Natural Sciences, holding the Simons Chair in Mathematics and Electrical and Computer Engineering.
Baccelli is a specialist in stochastic network theory, with a research focus on the interface of applied mathematics, probability, stochastic geometry, communication networks and information theory. He has worked on projects with Alcatel, France-Telecom, AT&T Bell Laboratories, Intel, Sprint and Qualcomm.
Baccelli received his doctorate from Paris University in 1983, and was professor of applied mathematics at Ecole Polytechnique from 1991-2003. He has held visiting positions at the Universities of Maryland, California-Berkeley and Cambridge, at the Mathematics Group of Bell Laboratories, and at Stanford, Eindhoven and Heriot-Watt Universities.
Baccelli was elected as a member of the French Academy of Sciences in 2005.
What attracted you to The University of Texas at Austin?
The Simons Chair in Mathematics and Electrical and Computer Engineering, and the high potential of interaction and opportunities it offers, and the very fruitful ongoing interaction with the wireless group.
What are your impressions of Austin so far?
Excellent.
What are your favorite hobbies outside of work?
Music, reading and hiking.
Efstathios Bakolas
Assistant Professor
Department of Aerospace Engineering & Engineering Mechanics
Efstathios Bakolas joined the Cockrell School of Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology's School of Aerospace Engineering. His research uses optimal control and differential game theory to address steering, task assignment and decision making problems involving autonomous vehicles based on analytical and/or computationally tractable models.
Bakolas received his doctorate and master's degree in aerospace engineering from Georgia Tech. He also received a diploma in mechanical engineering from the National Technical University of Athens.
What attracted you to The University of Texas at Austin?
The University of Texas at Austin is a world-renowned institution with a long-established tradition in research and education. I was very impressed by the fact that several faculty members in my department are members of the National Academy of Engineering and several others hold prestigious teaching awards. This fact reflects the commitment of the university to promote the highest standards of scholarship, advance the knowledge in science and engineering through leading-edge research, and support the education of future scientists and engineers. Undoubtedly, this is an excellent place to develop my career.
What are your impressions of Austin so far?
Up to now, I have only spent a limited amount of time in Austin, but my first impressions are that it is a very friendly and vibrant city. I am looking forward to exploring it more.
What are your favorite hobbies outside of work?
I like traveling, trying new restaurants, spending time outdoors, watching movies and reading.
Nicole Benedek
Assistant professor
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Nicole Benedek joined the Cockrell School of Engineering from Cornell University's School of Applied and Engineering Physics, where her work focused on the theory of complex oxide materials and the development of new techniques for crystal structure prediction.
Her research interest lies at the intersection of materials science, solid-state chemistry and condensed matter physics; using a range of computational techniques to investigate the link between the structure of materials at the atomic scale and their macroscopic properties, with a particular emphasis on complex oxides and their heterophase interfaces.
Benedek received her doctorate in applied physics and applied chemistry from RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia, where she also received her bachelor's degree.
What attracted you to The University of Texas at Austin?
It is a world-class research university with excellent faculty and students to match.
What are your impressions of Austin so far?
It’s a fun, vibrant city with a lot of culture, fantastic performing arts scene and a lot of opportunities for outdoor activities.
What are your favorite hobbies outside of work?
Climbing and hiking.
Amy Brock
Assistant Professor
Department of Biomedical Engineering
Amy Brock will join the Cockrell School of Engineering in Spring 2013 from Harvard University's Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, where she has helped integrate computational and experimental approaches to identify and validate novel gene targets for the normalization of breast cancer by differentiation therapy. Her research tackles fundamental questions of tumor cell state changes at the single-cell and population level.
Brock received her doctorate in biomedical and biological sciences from Harvard University, and her bachelor's degree in biology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
What attracted you to The University of Texas at Austin?
The unique combination of high caliber research, tremendously talented students, world-class facilities and a collegial environment. In addition, my husband grew up in Texas and we're excited to move closer to family.
What are your impressions of Austin so far?
I appreciate the friendliness of everyone I've interacted with here in Austin. That warmth is noticeable the minute you step off the plane. And the food is fantastic!
What are your favorite hobbies outside of work?
I enjoy spending time in nature with my family; camping, sailing and skiing are all favorites. I dabble in the cello and enjoy reading non-fiction and historical fiction.
Brady Cox
Assistant Professor
Department of Civil, Architectural & Environmental Engineering
Cox joined the Cockrell School of Engineering from the University of Arkansas, where he was an assistant professor in the Department of Civil Engineering. Cox specializes in geotechnical engineering issues related to earthquake loading, soil dynamics and nondestructive material characterization using stress waves.
He has been a part of the Geotechnical Extreme Events Reconnaissance teams deployed immediately after recent major earthquakes in New Zealand, Haiti, Japan and Peru.
Cox received his doctorate in civil engineering (geotechnical) from The University of Texas at Austin, and his master's and bachelor's degrees in civil engineering from Utah State University. He recently was awarded the Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers, the highest honor bestowed by the United States Government on science and engineering professionals in the early stages of their independent research careers.
What attracted you to The University of Texas at Austin?
The international reputation of the university as a whole, and of the Cockrell School of Engineering, specifically the CAEE department. UT is one of the very best all-around universities in the world.
What are your impressions of Austin so far?
Austin is an amazing city. I spent five years in Austin during graduate school, so I am familiar with all of the great places to eat and cool things to do.
What are your favorite hobbies outside of work?
My wife, four daughters and I love the outdoors. We like to waterski, hike and camp.
Lea Hildebrandt Ruiz
Assistant Professor
Department of Chemical Engineering
Lea Hildebrandt Ruiz joined the Cockrell School of Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University, where she received her doctorate in chemical engineering and engineering and public policy. Hildebrandt Ruiz received her bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from the California Institute of Technology.
The ultimate goal of her research in air quality and atmospheric chemistry is to make better-informed recommendations for environmental policies aimed at improving air quality and human health. An important focus of her work is the formation, growth and chemical transformation of atmospheric nanoparticles ("aerosols"), and their effects on atmospheric chemistry.
What attracted you to The University of Texas at Austin?
Major factors that attracted me include the collegiality among faculty, the quality of teaching and research at UT, and the quality of the students.
What are your impressions of Austin so far?
I like living in Austin (even though it is too hot in the summer).
What are your favorite hobbies outside of work?
I like to be outside – hiking, biking, running….
Mark McClure
Assistant Professor
Department of Petroleum & Geosystems Engineering
Mark McClure will join the Cockrell School of Engineering in Spring 2013 from Stanford University, where he received his doctorate in energy resources engineering.
His research focuses on modeling and characterization of hydraulic stimulation in geothermal energy and gas shale. He is also interested in the estimation of induced seismicity hazard.
McClure earned his master’s degree in petroleum engineering and his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Stanford University.
What attracted you to The University of Texas at Austin?
The outstanding faculty and students. The PGE Department is truly a leader in the field. Also, I grew up in Texas, and I miss good barbecue.
What are your impressions of Austin so far?
Austin is a cool, quirky city with amazing local culture.
What are your favorite hobbies outside of work?
Hiking, biking and anything outdoors.
Ryan Russell
Assistant Professor
Department of Aerospace Engineering & Engineering Mechanics
Ryan Russell joined the Cockrell School of Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology's School of Aerospace Engineering, where he was an assistant professor. His research interests include spacecraft dynamics, space trajectory design and navigation, numerical methods, non-linear optimization, dynamical systems and optimal control.
He began his professional career as a member of the Guidance, Navigation and Control section at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), where he was involved as mission designer and orbit determination analyst for a variety of space flight projects. He is currently on the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics' (AIAA) Astrodynamics Technical Committee and the American Astronautical Society's Space Flight Mechanics Committee.
He is an associate editor for the Journal of Optimization Theory and Applications, and has authored or co-authored dozens of journal, conference and other technical publications. He has received several NASA, JPL, AIAA, American Astronautical Society and other professional awards.
Russell received his doctorate and master's degree in aerospace engineering from The University of Texas at Austin, and his bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering from Texas A&M University.
What attracted you to The University of Texas at Austin?
UT has a great reputation and Austin is a great town.
What are your impressions of Austin so far?
It's hot, but there are plenty of rivers, lakes and pools around to stay cool.
What are your favorite hobbies outside of work?
Family, friends, travel, sports, music and adventure. I am an avid outdoor enthusiast.
Tim Yeh
Assistant Professor
Department of Biomedical Engineering
Tim (Hsin-Chih) Yeh joined the Cockrell School of Engineering from the Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies at Los Alamos National Laboratory, where he was a postdoctoral research associate.
His research aims to create and study new nanomaterials that have the potential to be used as future biosensors with unprecedented molecular sensing capabilities, and to develop new imaging tools for fundamental biology research at the single-molecule, single-cell level.
Yeh received his doctorate in mechanical engineering from Johns Hopkins University; his master's degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering at the University of California at Los Angeles; and his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from National Taiwan University.
What attracted you to The University of Texas at Austin?
UT is a great school with strong engineering programs. It is an excellent place to conduct research. I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to become part of the great tradition of the Texas Longhorns.
What are your impressions of Austin so far?
I am impressed by the magnificent State Capitol and historical buildings. Lady Bird Lake is beautiful and music on Austin City Limits is great. I know it will be hot and humid during the summer, but I am well prepared.
What are your favorite hobbies outside of work?
I like fishing, playing tennis and volleyball.
Guihua Yu
Assistant Professor
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Guihua Yu joined the Cockrell School of Engineering from Stanford University, where he was a postdoctoral research fellow in chemical engineering and materials science and engineering.
Yu's research interests include nano-enabled energy storage devices and nano- and molecular electronics. He has conducted research in hybrid nanostructured materials for high-performance electrochemical capacitors and lithium-ion batteries; 3-D nanostructures conducting polymer hydrogels for energy storage; and bioelectronics, among other areas.
Yu received his doctor's and master's degree in chemistry from Harvard University, and his bachelor's degree in chemistry from the University of Science and Technology of China.
What attracted you to The University of Texas at Austin?
The highly regarded engineering program with a strong team of renowned faculty and high quality students, as well as excellent research facility.
What are your impressions of Austin so far?
Very impressive from many aspects. I feel the city life at Austin is good for the family, a lot to explore, though it is quite hot in the summer.
What are your favorite hobbies outside of work?
Hiking, tennis, pingpong and traveling.
