About

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) at the University of Virginia is a thriving program of undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty with a commitment to exploration, innovation, and engineering excellence. MAE’s focus on engineering excellence has led to many international and national awards, scholarships and fellowships along with prestigious accolades and new research centers.

The Aerospace program’s research strengths include the Applied Research Laboratory, the Rolls-Royce Commonwealth Center for Advanced Propulsion, and projects in combustion and wind energy.

Key research strengths for the Mechanical program include the Center for Applied Biomechanics (world leaders in auto safety engineering with $10 million in annual research), the Center for Rotating Machinery (more than 40 member companies), a  $7.8 million MURI in bio-propulsion and award-winning nano-scale research.

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Recent rankings:

The Princeton Review ranked UVA as the best public or private university in the country for financial aid, and the No. 3 best-value public school. In May, Money Magazine ranked UVA the No. 3 best-value college in the United States.

UVA remains one of the only public universities to meet 100% of every undergraduate student’s financial need and offers admission to students with no consideration of a family’s income.

Vision

The vision of the University of Virginia’s Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering is to realize its mission through an educational framework that is embedded in a vibrant community of scholars and is underpinned by critical thinking in science, engineering, and humanities.

Mission

The mission of the University of Virginia’s Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering is to educate undergraduate and graduate students to apply the principles of the physical sciences, mathematics and engineering to solve challenging multidisciplinary problems; to empower the students to teach themselves new knowledge and ideas to solve problems far beyond the factual boundaries of their education; to develop informed, articulate, and transformative leaders of the profession, academia, and society as a whole.

Honors and Awards

Outstanding Graduate Research Award
These students were nominated by their advisors based on their GPAs, conference publications, journal papers, and previous awards.

2022 -  Kiumars Aryana,  Sayak Mukherjee, Yu Pan, Kristen Reynier

Outstanding Graduate Leadership Award
These students were nominated by their advisors based on their GPAs and outstanding leadership

2022 - Juliet Simpson,  Emma Tiernan

Diversity and Leadership Award
This award recognizes a student who demonstrates an ongoing commitment to increase diversity within MAE and the UVa community and demonstrate a strong commitment to advancing their own awareness, knowledge and skills related to diversity, equity, and inclusion

2022 - Corina Espelien

Louis T. Rader Undergraduate Chairperson Award 
This award  go to hardworking graduating 4th year undergraduate students based on: (1) academic ability, (2) ability to get along with people, and (3) demonstrated ability to work hard. Students can be nominated for their research, or other achievements and contributions including teaching and service to the MAE department.

2022 - Yicong Fu, Henry Goodman, Logan Hunts, Haley Knowles, Kara Koopman
2021 - Kevin Fletcher, Raeann Giannattasio, Emily Hubbard, Cynthia Okoye, Dominic Pinnisi, Ryder Sadler, Carolyn Wong
2020 - Emily Davenport, Christopher Fitzpatrick, Adam Hershaft, Arthur, Hofer, Sami Khatouri, Megan Mazzatenta, Rachael Osborne, Jack Purcell, Zachary Rosen, Pat Wongwiset

Harold S. Morton Scholarship
This award recognizes a hard-working student who demonstrate strong academic ability and get along well with others

2022 - Morgan Myers
2021 - Joshua Franklin

George B. Matthews Scholarship 
This award recognizes third-year aerospace engineering students who demonstrate passion and enthusiasm for aviation, appreciation for aviation history, and aptitude for technical knowledge balanced with practical application.

2022 - Corin Myers
2021 - Christopher Kwon

Walter and Barbara Pilkey Scholarship
This award recognizes an outstanding female student in her third year of study in honor of her exceptional leadership, scholarship, and citizenship and in the hope that this will make a significant difference in her life and academic career

2022 - Katie Borland, Amy Cuervo
2021 - Janani Chander

John E. Scott award
This award recognizes a graduate or undergraduate student with demonstrated research excellence in fluid mechanics or related areas and has a minimum GPA of 3.5.

2022 - Jackson Wray

Women with Wings Award
This award supports a female engineering student in exploring the possibility and experience of flight by funding a substantial portion of her training towards obtaining a private pilot’s license

2022 - Griffin Dewey
2021 - Lama Khraibani
2020 - Jutsice Allen

DEI Leadership AwardDEI Leadership Award
This award recognizes a student who demonstrates an ongoing commitment to increase diversity within MAE and the UVa community and demonstrate a strong commitment to advancing their own awareness, knowledge and skills related to diversity, equity, and inclusion

2022 - Joshua Franklin

Outstanding Student in Mechanical Engineering Award
This graduating student achieved the highest GPA in Mechanical Engineering over the past four years

2022 - Jonathan Cummins
2021 - Amegan Anderson
2020 - Philip Renkert

Outstanding Student in Aerospace Engineering Award
This graduating student achieved the highest GPA in Aerospace Engineering over the past four years

2022 - James Johnsons, Brenden Whalen
2021 - Allen Lang
2020 - David Normansell

Get In Touch

Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Email maeoffice@virginia.edu
Phone (434) 924-7422