News

Dr. Hamid Bahrami Named Chair of Electrical and Computer Engineering

School of Engineering Welcomes Dr. Srinivas Pulugurtha as Chair of Civil Engineering

Dr. Leonardo Macelloni Selected as Director of Mississippi Mineral Resources Institute

Alumni Spotlight: Mirabel Nkanor, Rising Star in Civil Engineering

Mirabel Nkanor, a 2023 civil engineering graduate, is now pursuing an M.S. in construction engineering at North Carolina State University, where she continues to excel academically and professionally. Her journey, marked by numerous accolades and a commitment to improving infrastructure, reflects her resilience and dedication to making a lasting impact in her field.
June 2024

Biomedical Engineering Professor Wins Prestigious Research Award

Dr. Yi “Jason” Hua, Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Mississippi, received the Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award from ORAU for his groundbreaking glaucoma research, marking the first time in 17 years a faculty member from the school has won this prestigious award.
June 2024

SoE Senior Shines at Mid-South Biophysics Symposium Poster Competition

Victoria Amari, the only undergraduate presenter at the Mid-South Biophysics Symposium, earned third place for her innovative research in biomedical engineering, showcasing her exceptional talent and potential among seasoned scholars.
June 2024

Excelling at ExxonMobil: Olivia Marque’s Co-Op Experience

Olivia Marque, a chemical engineering major, enhanced her technical skills and industry connections through a hands-on co-op at ExxonMobil’s Baton Rouge plant, where she tackled manufacturing processes and optimizations despite early challenges and a steep learning curve.
June 2024

Dr. David Silverstein Joins School of Engineering as Chair of Chemical Engineering

Bray Hill’s Bridge to Success

Bray Hill, a first-year biomedical engineering student at the University of Mississippi, credits the university’s JumpStart program for easing his transition from high school to college, enhancing his early academic and social experiences on campus. Despite initial doubts about his capabilities, Hill’s mentorship within the SoE bolstered his confidence, leading to excellent academic achievements and his selection as a semi-finalist for the Fulbright Scotland Summer Institute.
May 2024

Journey to Commencement 2024: Lilly Bray

Lilly Bray, initially drawn to medicine, switched her focus to civil engineering at the University of Mississippi, spurred by her strengths in math and science and her aunt’s suggestion. Her academic journey was enriched by her partnership with roommate and fellow civil engineering major Georgia Gooch, culminating in a national award at the WERC Environmental Design Contest for their innovative sustainable wastewater management project.
May 2024

Journey to Commencement 2024: Janie Watts

Janie Watts, initially interested in biomedical engineering, discovered her passion for chemical engineering during her time at the University of Mississippi, inspired by the problem-solving nature of her classes. Her proactive engagement in a co-op at Ergon Refining in Vicksburg led to a comprehensive understanding of process engineering, culminating in a position at Chevron as a process engineer upon graduation.
May 2024

Journey to Commencement 2024: Ronnie Cunitz

Ronnie Cunitz ventured 4,000 miles from Hawaii to Mississippi at 16 years old, embracing challenges as a young chemical engineering student at the University of Mississippi. From battling the pandemic to pioneering research in biopolymer aging, she propelled herself toward a future in research and a doctoral program at an Ivy League university.
May 2024

Journey to Commencement 2024: Lydia Miller

Lydia Miller’s sports career was halted by a devastating injury, but it unexpectedly ignited her passion for biomedical engineering. Her journey from athlete to researcher at the University of Mississippi led her to seek a future in medical technology, proving that sometimes, setbacks are just setups for remarkable achievements.
May 2024

Journey to Commencement 2024: Macey Ross

We celebrate the remarkable academic and personal journey of Macey Ross, from a bright high school student in Arkansas to the threshold of the world’s top dental school. Macey’s time at Ole Miss was marked by research and deep community involvement, showcasing her exceptional dedication and spirit.
April 2024

School of Engineering Honors Achievements of Three Alumni

The School of Engineering recently recognized the exceptional achievements of three alumni by bestowing its highest honors, celebrating their significant contributions in innovation, service, and career development within the engineering sector.
April 2024

SoE Junior Selected President of UM RebelTHON

Junior Computer Science major Byron Swetman selected to lead Ole Miss’s RebelTHON, raising record funds for children’s healthcare and educational support. Dedicated to expanding the organization’s impact, he’s driving community and alumni engagement for RebelTHON’s future initiatives.
March 2024

Reinemann Honored with Early Career Award

Dr. Nikki Reinemann, recipient of the Mississippi Academy of Sciences Early Career Award navigates the intersection of groundbreaking biomedical engineering research and transformative mentorship.
March 2024

Engineering Dean Honored by Two International Organizations

Viola Acoff, School of Engineering Dean, was honored with the Distinguished Lectureship in Materials and Society Award for her advocacy for underrepresented groups in STEM.
November 2023

The University Of Mississippi’s oldest living alumnus at 107 years old

Hugh Barnett is a World War II veteran, and a man with a remarkable journey. From his days as an Eagle Scout to overseeing uranium isotope separation for the atomic bomb, Barnett’s life is a tale of resilience and joy.
November 2023

B & B Concrete: Empowering STEM Education through Generous Outreach Initiatives

B & B Concrete supports STEM education through outreach, tours, and material donations, enhancing student learning and industry connections.
November 2023

Ph.D. student works at leading research lab at Stanford University

Ben Savino supported professor Wen Wu at the Center for Turbulence Research, working alongside researchers from around the world.
September 2023

Geology student wins Environmental and Engineering Geophysical Society scholarship

Elsie Buskes’ water sourcing internship with the National Center for Physical Acoustics led to her receiving this scholarship – the sole undergrad recipient this year.
August 2023

2014 civil engineering grad led the Brazil team at the Women’s World Cup

Rafaelle Souza excelled both on the field and in the classroom while at Ole Miss. Now you’ll find her at the 2023 Women’s World Cup as the captain of the top-ten Brazil team.
July 2023

Engineering students win top award at environmental design competition

Five civil engineering students came up with a prize-winning approach to clean contaminated water for re-use. Using worms!
June 2023

New Geology and Geological Engineering chair announced

Thomas Oommen brings his expertise in remote sensing and AI/machine learning to assess and monitor geohazard and infrastructure risks.
May 2023

Mechanical engineering graduate awarded NSF Graduate Research Fellowship

Tipton, TN native Stanford White will be exploring ways to enhance flexible electronics – essential for wearable devices and soft robotics.
May 2023

Super star: Hall of Fame, Taylor Medal, Outstanding Engineering Student Award!

General engineering senior Preston McWilliams excels in engineering and beyond. Next stop:medical school (after a much-deserved break!).
April 2023

New School of Engineering dean announced

Dr. Viola Acoff will be joining the team this summer – bringing a wealth of research and academic experience from the University of Alabama.
March 2023

Guest lecture:
What spurs technology revolutions?

Dr. John Parmentola from the Rand Corporation explains to UM students and faculty what is slowing down the pace of innovation.
March 2023

Civil engineering chair receives national award for her expertise with water issues

Dr. Cris Surbeck received the ASCE’s Margaret S. Peterson Award for her exemplary service to the water resources and environmental science and engineering community.
February 2023

Making the most of Ole Miss

Biomedical engineering student Abigail Moeller explains how her involvement in several programs – in school, on campus and abroad – will further her career goal as a researcher.
February 2023

Showcasing our graphene research at technology conference in Barcelona

Dr. Ahmed Al-Ostaz, civil engineering professor and director of Center for Graphene Research and Innovation, led a team of faculty and students to the Puzzle X conference.
December 2022

Electrical engineering Ph. D. student gains first place for succinct research comms

Maisha Sadia shared top place in the Graduate School’s Three Minute Thesis competition. She explains how chaos theory can be used to prevent hackers from breaking into computers. In three minutes.
November 2022

Biomedical engineering professor gets $1.5 million grant from the NIH

Nikki Reinemann wants to understand how the body adapts to stay alive. Her research could be a foundation for developing tools to combat cytoskeletal diseases such as cancer and heart disease.
September 2022

Engineering professor spends time in Israel on academic exchange

Mirela Ovreiu, instructional assistant professor, was one of 33 to join the Jewish National Fund’s Faculty Fellowship Program, designed to boost collaboration between Israeli and US institutions.
August 2022

Ph.D. student honored with NSF Graduate Research Fellowship for work that could transform air travel

Mechanical engineering graduate student Ben Savino is studying turbulent fluid flows to see if/how planes can be faster and more fuel efficient.
June 2022

Professor awarded NSF-EPSCoR fellowship to research how shark skin scales work to reduce drag

Assistant professor Wen Wu’s work has all sorts of potential implications for industrial design – particularly in regional aerospace and naval industries.
May 2022

Three engineering seniors recognized for their service 

Carly Huguley, Brennan Power and John Martin Paczak received the year’s top engineering awards – highlighting their strong academic  and service records.
April 2022 

Professor received NSF CAREER award for immunotherapy research

Assistant professor  Thomas Werfel plans to use this $600,000 research grant to create biomaterials for more targeted vaccines and cancer treatments.
March 2022

Partnering with the US Army and other universities on graphene

The Center for Graphene Research and Innovation is partnering with ERDC, Jackson State and Rice University to explore graphene’s potential in advanced materials and infrastructure.
February 2022

Ole Miss Engineering dean honored for his innovative research

Dean Dave Puleo has been inducted as a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors in recognition of his research into regenerative biomaterials.
December 2021

Mechanical engineering grad student wins business model competition

Graduate student Parker Brewster received top place (and £10,000!) for his proposed plaquectomy – a device designed to safely remove plaque from arterial walls.
November 2021

Biomedical engineering professor investigates causes of heart disease

Assistant professor Nikki Reinemann is using prestigious grant from the American Heart Association to research the underlying causes of heart disease.
October 2021

Partnering with Rust College for a dual-degree program

Students can pursue mathematics at Rust College for three years and follow up with two years at Ole Miss Engineering – gaining degrees from both institutions.
July 2021

Professor publishes book on environmental remediation

Rocket Team: rocket building, launch days with Mississippi State and certification

Our Rocket Team is part of NASA’s Space Grant program – getting hands-on experience in the build, test and launch activities used by professionals.
May 2021

Serving the country in our nation’s nuclear laboratories

Alumni Sieg Shalles (1971)  and Rowan Baird (2019) share their experiences in pursuing a career in the military services.
April 2021

Former BP America president sets up new engineering scholarship

Susan Dio, 1983 chemical engineering graduate, wants to encourage her two passions: women in engineering and manufacturing.
March 2021

School of Engineering gains bronze-level recognition for diversity efforts

The American Society for Engineering Education’s diversity recognition program awards schools that build the infrastructure to support diverse student and faculty populations.
February 2021

Ole Miss alum named Mississippi’s Young Engineer of the Year

The Mississippi Engineering Society honors 2015 civil engineering graduate Hannah Prater Denson for her work to bring STEM kits to her local elementary school in Jackson, MS.
January 2021

Double your distance, double your protection

Research by our Dr. Wen Wu and professors at Johns Hopkins University explores the dynamics of airborne transmissions of COVID-19. Distancing works. (Graphic: Marissa Lanterman/Johns Hopkins University)
December 2020

Engineering alumni leading broadband boom in north Mississippi

Several engineering alumni are working with electric cooperatives to deploy fiber to provide high-speed broadband internet service to unserved and underserved areas of rural Mississippi.
November 2020

A better way to treat depression

Two biomedical engineering professors at Ole Miss might have found a way to provide chronic relief to people suffering from severe depression: a small implant that provides intermittent drug doses.
October 2020

Ole Miss creates Institute for Data Science

Big data is fueling new jobs and technologies worldwide. Ole Miss’ institute will instruct students on how to ethically apply data science to advance knowledge, enable enterprise and improve society.
September 2020

Mechanical engineering senior on why Ole Miss Engineering suits him

New York native John Finnegan talks about why he chose Ole Miss Engineering and what he’s learned from his co-op experience with Parker-Hannifin. “Ole Miss is great for the intangibles that an engineer needs.”
August 2020

Dr. Raj named Distinguished Professor

Arunachalam Rajendran, mechanical engineering chair and professor, has been honored for his sustained excellence at Ole Miss. This is in recognition of his internationally known research and his dedication to his students.
July 2020

Legendary Rebel football player sets up engineering scholarship

NFL pro Wesley Walls (general engineering 1991) and his wife established an engineering scholarship geared toward high-achieving students who played sports in high school.
May 2020

From 2018 summer intern to 2020 CEO award winner

IT specialist Courtney Cadiz (BSME 19) received the CEO award from International Paper for her work on a substantial cost-saving project. She worked at IP as an intern – an experience she encourages.
May 2020

Dean Dave Puleo on how the school is meeting the coronavirus challenges

Coronavirus, COVID-19, uncharted territory, social distancing, flatten the curve, course conversion, Zoom meetings. These words are now forever ingrained in our vocabulary. Our Engineering community has been tremendous during these trying times….
April 2020

From electrical engineer to Dallas Cowboys’ number cruncher

Adam Vonder Harr (BSEE 2014) works as a football research analyst, helping with everything from scouting and personnel decisions to assisting coaches with game planning  and player health.
March 2020

Ole Miss geological engineering students learn about geologic mapping

The Mississippi Mineral Resources Institute (MMRI) and Department of Geology and Geological Engineering at Ole Miss are undertaking a geologic mapping and drilling project in Charleston, Mississippi – that’ll help identify economic resources and contribute to scientific research in the region.
February 2020

2013 chemical engineering grad gives back

Alyssa Revis (BSChE 2013) says that the academic and financial support from Ole Miss led to her successful career at Exxon. Check out how she and her husband Jesse are giving back to their alma maters, helping chemical engineering students. Read more…
January 2020

Ole Miss computer science major serves on World Food Security committee

Computer science major Rowan Agrawal was one of four U.S. students awarded a scholarship to attend a UN summit on food security in Rome. He discussed the role of technology in dealing with poverty and hunger with global leaders. Read more…
January 2020

New computer science professor brings his focus on digital security

Why this Ole Miss chemical engineering grad loves his work so much

John Brasher (BSChE 12) researches wastewater remediation, nanomaterials and more for use by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He says: “You ask yourself the ‘why’ question over and over until you reach the true point of failure or core problem. I fell in love with this – the ultimate field of ‘why’s.’” Read more…
December 2019

Computer science major gains local and global experience through internships

Briana Dortch, a senior from Memphis, enriched her studies by interning at St. Jude where she helped create programs to diagnose noninsured patients faster and more cheaply. And, to learn about the corporate world, she interned as an IT business consultant for International Paper. Read more…
December 2019

Society of Women Engineers achieving its goal at Ole Miss: helping female engineers succeed

Four Ole Miss students attended the national SWE conference in California last month – and three walked away with job offers. And, SWE events on campus give students the opportunity to hear from alumnae what it’s like to transition from college to the workplace. Read more…
December 2019

Mechanical engineering alumnus races hot rods, sets speed records

Jeffrey Ferguson, 2012 mechanical engineering graduate, has pretty much spent the last decade trying to break the 300 mph barrier in a 5,000-pound Trans Am. Read about his journey…
November 2019

Computer science student wins first place in entrepreneurship competition

Kaylin Brassfield’s company for video games and graphic novels aimed at a young female market won her the first-place award in the 2019 Mississippi New Venture Challenge. A senior computer science major, Brassfield received $4,500 in funding to support her startup. Read more…
November 2019

Geology professor assists construction in Delaware Aqueduct Bypass Project

Lance Yarbrough, assistant professor of geology and geological engineering at Ole Miss, spent much of his summer 600 feet below the Hudson River. He was working on a project to build a 2.5-mile-long bypass tunnel for the Delaware Aqueduct, which provides about half of New York City’s water. Read more…
November 2019

Freshman follows her father’s words of wisdom

With every step of Leah Timmons’ journey at the University of Mississippi comes a reminder of the words of encouragement her father left her years ago. “He was the one who always told me I could accomplish anything I set out to do.” Proving him right, she’s majoring in international studies and chemical engineering with an emphasis in manufacturing. Read more…
November 2019

Helpful info

Ole Miss Engineer – our annual round-up of school and department highlights