Dr. Y. Charles Lu is H. E. Katterjohn Professor of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering at the University of Kentucky and an Associate Editor of SAE International Journal of Materials and Manufacturing and SAE International Journal of Aerospace. His research interests include: (1) micromechanics and nanomechanics, (2) polymers, elastomers, composites, and advanced materials, (3) finite-element analysis and mechanical design, and (4) computational materials science. Dr. Lu is the author of 10 edited books and over 160 technical papers in referred journals, book chapters, and conference proceedings. He held the research scientist position at the Air Force Research Laboratory, Branch of Composites and Hybrid Materials during the summers of 2007–2010 and visiting professorship at the University of Dayton Research Institute (2012) and Case Western Reserve University (2013). Dr. Lu received the 2017 Excellence in Engineering Education Award from Society of Automotive Engineers International. The award is a singular honor awarded annually by the SAE to a faculty member who excels in engineering education worldwide. Dr. Lu received the 2010 SAE International Ralph R. Teetor Educational Award for his contributions to mobility-related research, teaching, and student development, the 2015 SAE International Forest McFarland Award for his services to the SAE. He was awarded the U.S. Air Force Summer Faculty Fellowships in 2008 and 2009. He was also the recipient of the Outstanding Mechanical Engineering Faculty Award (2009), the Wethington Research Award (2011), the inaugural Paducah Outstanding Professor Award in Teaching (2009), and the inaugural Paducah Outstanding Professor Award in Research (2011).
Prior to joining UK, Dr. Lu held senior engineering/research positions at Dana Corporation and Akron Rubber Development Laboratory. He has been recognized with the Dana Engineering Achievement Award and additional six Dana Technical Achievement Awards.
Dr. Lu received his PhD in Engineering Sciences from the University of Western Ontario in 2000 and additionally has three master’s degrees in mechanical engineering, materials science, and mathematics. Dr. Lu is a licensed professional engineer (P.E.) in the state of Kentucky and a fellow of American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and Society of Automotive Engineers International (SAE).
University of Western Ontario, Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Ph.D. 2000.
2017-present: Professor, University of Kentucky
2015-present: H.E. Katterjohn Professor in Engineering, University of Kentucky
2013 spring: Visiting Professor, Case Western Reserve University, OH
2012-2015: Associate Professor Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Kentucky, Kentucky
June-August 2012: Visiting Faculty University of Dayton Research Institute, Ohio
06-08 of 2012: Visiting Faculty, University of Dayton Research Institute, University of Dayton, OH
06-08 of 2010: Visiting Scientist, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB
05-08 of 2009: Research Scientist, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB
05-08 of 2008: Research Scientist, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB
06-08 of 2007: Visiting Researcher, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB
2006-2012: Assistant/Associate Professor, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, University of Kentucky
2001-2006: Sr. FE Analysis Engineer, Sr. Development Engineer, Dana Corporation
2000-2001: Research Scientist, Akron Rubber Development Laboratory, OH.
