Mullany honored as newest Fellow with Society of Manufacturing Engineers

November 26, 2024
Categories: General News
Brigid Mullany

Brigid Mullany, professor of mechanical engineering with UNC Charlotte’s William States Lee College of Engineering, has been elected as a 2024 Fellow with the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. This honor stands as a strong indicator of her outstanding contributions to the social, technological and educational aspects of manufacturing.

In addition to her role of professor, Mullany serves as the college’s first Associate Dean for Research where she has prepared the college for an anticipated R1 status by developing a research-focused infrastructure aimed at supporting faculty in their research endeavors. Her own research background is in surface finishing and metrology and additive manufacturing, particularly ceramics, which inform her decisions as director of the Center for Additive Manufacture of Advanced Ceramics (CAMAC) at UNC Charlotte. This research center, along with the other manufacturing-focused efforts at Charlotte, is solidifying the university’s position as a national leader in manufacturing research. 

Rob Keynton, dean of UNC Charlotte’s William States Lee College of Engineering, explains how Mullany contributes to regional growth through her research and leadership. “Dr. Mullany has driven advanced manufacturing to be an area of research excellence, and not only for UNC Charlotte,” said Keynton. “Her work supports the industry that has become a principal driver of our region’s economy.”

Brigid Mullany teaching

Keynton explained that Mullany’s influence extends well beyond her own ceramics additive manufacturing activities to other related areas of manufacturing. For instance, by working together with North America’s leading Center for Precision Metrology, also located on the Charlotte campus, she is currently leveraging machine learning techniques to isolate key surface texture metrics affecting functionalities such as wettability and visual appearance. 

“Her research and leadership will help inform the production of critical industrial equipment, tools and products,” said Keynton. “Ultimately her work can help galvanize American manufacturing to be more competitive on a global scale. I am pleased she has been honored with the SME Fellowship as it recognizes her commitment and dedication to the field.”

By helping reduce costs, increase efficiencies and expand design freedom, North Carolina manufacturers and UNC Charlotte researchers like Mullany are forging the future of American industry.

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Brigid Mullany, Ph.D., SME:

  • Past president for SME’s North American Manufacturing Research Institution (NAMRI)
  • Past program director, Advanced Manufacturing program, National Science Foundation
  • Fellow of CIRP (the International Academy of Production Engineering); Current Council member, past chair of CIRP’s Scientific Technical Committee on Surfaces
  • 2008 NSF CAREER Award
  • 2007 Society of Manufacturing Engineers Kuo K. Wang Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineer Award 
  • A two-year EU Marie Curie postdoctoral research position at Carl Zeiss in Germany 

Mullany’s research interests include additive manufacturing (metal and ceramic), finishing of freeform surfaces, precision abrasive processes, machine learning frameworks, surface modification and characterization.