College of Engineering & Science News

Models of buildings are positioned on a desk.

Scores of UDM students and faculty will help nonprofits in Detroit and southeast Michigan reduce their carbon footprint as part of a $3.79-million grant award to support energy efficiency.

Nick Boynton's headshot is next to the Science magazine cover in which his paper was published. The magazine has an illustration of a planet with text that reads In Hot Water.

As humans work toward a more sustainable future on Earth, imagine having one material that can act like many of the plastics used in daily life. Now consider those same principles being used in outer space, where resources and capacity are precious commodities. Thanks to research by Nicholas Boynton ’19, these concepts may one day become a reality. 

Senator Gary Peters is pictured in a pair of pictures inside of the Engineering Building, on the left with a professor looking at equipment and on the right talking with a UDM student as they look at a laptop computer.

Detroit Mercy received a $497,080 award from the United States Department of Defense (DoD) to sustain its work in establishing the Metro Detroit Regional Vehicle Cybersecurity Institute, a regional cybersecurity consortium.

robotic arm and students

This workshop is designed for engineers passionate about mastering systematic innovation. At the heart of this event is the belief that innovation is not just an idea or a corporate initiative; it's a skill that can be cultivated and mastered.

Ben Kendell points to the sky after winning a race outdoors, wearing a red University of Detroit Mercy racing big with numbers on his jersey reading 9 and 286. Logos on his jersey read University of Detroit Mercy and Adidas.

Former student-athlete Ben Kendell '18, '19 is set to become the fifth Titan male to compete in the U.S. Olympic Trials, competing in the marathon Feb. 3 in Orlando, Fla.

At left, two people sitting at a table shake hands and smile for a photo indoors. At right, six people sit at a table and sign papers, with four more standing behind them indoors. Banners in front of them read University of Detroit Mercy College of Engineering & Science and Oakland Community College, Engineering, Manufacturing & Industrial Technologies.

Detroit Mercy and Oakland Community College (OCC) have announced an articulation agreement making it easier for OCC pre-engineering graduates to complete a bachelor’s degree in various engineering disciplines at UDM.

A professor stands and talks to three students sitting in a business classroom. Other students sit in chairs nearby.

Detroit Mercy ranks No. 455 out of 4,500 colleges and universities nationwide for salary earned over the 40-year length of a career according to research published by the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce in 2022.

An outdoor photo of the McNichols Campus on a sunny day with students walking on campus amongst trees, buildings and a clock tower.

Detroit Mercy was ranked among the top national universities by U.S. News & World Report for a fifth year in a row, earning a No. 185 rank in the National Universities category.

Students and others during the 2022 Bioneers conference, working outside on logs.

Detroit Mercy will host the 18th annual Great Lakes Bioneers Detroit Conference on Thursday and Friday, Oct. 12-13. The theme of this year’s conference is “Revolution from the Heart of Nature: Take Action in Detroit.”

An outdoor photo on the McNichols Campus, featuring students sitting on benches, the Memorial clock tower, water fountain, trees, flowers and buildings during a sunny summer day.

Detroit Mercy was ranked No. 52 nationally and second in Michigan, according to results released Sept. 6 by WSJ/College Pulse. UDM was the third-highest ranked Jesuit university and only Mercy institution ranked.

Two photos of students outdoors, on the left two students push carts past the Shiple Hall sign and on the right, three students wearing red University of Detroit Mercy t-shirts pose and smile in front of a colorful brick wall.

Students from Detroit Mercy's largest freshman class on the McNichols Campus in 14 years participated in Prologues, Transitions and Viewpoints (PTV) during the final part of orientation, Aug. 22-25.

An arial photograph of UDM's School of Dentistry.

Recently, an international team of researchers led by Eric Krukonis of the Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry revealed for the first time the atomic structure of ToxR, a protein bound to the DNA of two promoters of the genes that control the virulence of Vibrio cholerae, the bacterium that causes cholera.

Paul Manuszak plays lacrosse in a pair of photos indoors.

Paul Manuszak '22 left his engineering job to follow a yearning for faith-based missionary work. He'll work with the Jesuits in Benque Viejo Del Carmen, Belize beginning on Aug. 1.

A graphic featuring the text 2023 Alumni Achievement Awards, with photos of the seven winners and their names below.

Each year, Detroit Mercy honors an alumnus from each of its seven schools or colleges for the way they have excelled in their professions and demonstrated leadership and service to the larger community.

Mark Haidar smiles in this black and white photo.

Between war and poverty, there was very little that Mark Haidar had power over while growing up in a refugee area in Lebanon.  But an IBM computer, donated to his school by the United Nations, helped him feel empowered as a child and started a successful journey in technology.

top exterior of supreme court building

As many of you know, the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn affirmative action on June 29, 2023, will have a significant impact on institutions of higher education throughout our country. We pray for all of our friends and member institutions who will experience an array of challenges due to this decision, but most importantly for all students who will be directly affected by the court’s actions.

Students sit inside of a classroom and listen to a teacher who sits on a higher chair, with three television screens around them.

For more than a decade, the Leadership minor has been an important part of the college education for hundreds of UDM graduates. More than 500 students are enrolled in the minor each semester.

Grant to help build diverse pipeline of researchers

A six-figure grant from the National Institutes of Health U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will fund programming designed to recruit and train a diverse group of undergraduates to pursue postgraduate education and careers in biomedical sciences.

Graduates walk outdoors on the McNichols Campus near the Jesus statue.

More than 1,000 graduates participated in four ceremonies during 2023 Commencement at University of Detroit Mercy on Friday and Saturday, May 12-13.

UDM faculty receive 2023-24 Fulbright awards

Associate Professor of Biology Stokes S. Baker and Professor of Philosophy Gail Presbey received awards from the Fulbright Program to study abroad.

Kirstin Finnila sits on a bench outside of the Engineering Building on UDM’s McNichols Campus.

Kirstin Finnila has balanced puppies and studies as a Civil Engineering student at UDM. She is known to do her homework while sitting with the puppies in their pen.

An aerial photograph of UDM's McNichols Campus.

For the fourth consecutive year, Detroit Mercy's graduate programs have ranked among the nation’s best.

Three assisted technology devices worked on by University of Detroit Mercy Engineering and Nursing students. From left: a wheelchair storage device for Holly; a custom shower chair for Pete; and a device that allows Scott to transition from his wheelchair to an RV bed.

Student groups unveiled and presented their life-changing assisted technology devices in the College of Engineering & Science to their clients and public on Monday, April 24.

A stock photo of a man sitting at a desk with two computer monitors in front of him.

University of Detroit Mercy announces the availability of full-tuition scholarships of up to $12,000 each for graduate students enrolling in the College of Engineering & Science’s Vehicle Cyber Engineering (VCE) graduate certificate program.

At left, four skaters wearing medals sit on the boards next to an ice rink with other people behind them. On the right, two Detroit Mercy students sit laughing inside of the College of Engineering & Sciences Building.

In addition to studying engineering at the University like her parents, Catherine Cole competes at a high level in synchronized skating, which has recently included competitions across the globe during her final semester of college.

Christmas greetings from University of Detroit Mercy

Detroit Mercy wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday season! Find University closure hours here.

DT outside with  students

Donald B. Taylor, Ph.D., will be inaugurated as University of Detroit Mercy's 26th president Friday, March 24 at 3 p.m. in Calihan Hall on the McNichols Campus.

An exhibit of some of Fr. Dowling's collection on the left and Fr. Dowling himself sitting at a desk with his hand on a model ship, on the right.

Fr. Edward Dowling, S.J., an Engineering professor at University of Detroit for decades, kept an expansive, in-depth and world-famous maritime collection of Great Lakes ships. It’s now housed at the McNichols Campus Library.

Scholarships help students pursue vehicle cybersecurity education

Three students each received the College of Engineering & Science’s first Virtual Institutes for Cyber and Electromagnetic Spectrum Research and Employ (VICEROY) awards, which are individual scholarships worth $10,000.  

A Happy Thanksgiving graphic with a cartoon turkey on it, as well as the University of Detroit Mercy logo at the top.

Detroit Mercy wishes everyone a happy Thanksgiving! The University will be closed Thursday, Nov. 24 through Sunday, Nov. 27 in observation of the holiday.

Two people perform a military promotion ceremony while facing each other indoors.

Danielle Cermak graduated in 2000 with a degree in Biochemistry. That same year she raised her right hand and was commissioned into the U.S. Air Force — where most would imagine her life of service began.

Four people stand smiling indoors at the camera next to a poster board with words on it.

The College of Engineering & Science’s ninth annual Research Symposium, which highlights the research conducted by undergraduate and graduate students, is set for Friday, Oct. 21 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Tanvi Patel in camouflage Army attire sits in a conference room, with two other people.

Tanvi Patel '02, a graduate of Detroit Mercy and Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army, is front and center in the Army's new advertising campaign, "Decide to Lead."

Richard Dolinski outdoors

Alumnus Richard Dolinski '61, '63, '66 used his University of Detroit degrees to springboard a 32-year career at Dow Chemical. At 81, he continues to pursue innovative and research-intensive approaches to education and childhood development.

Engineering report recognized at international symposium

A report on lunar habitat architecture produced by College of Engineering & Science graduates received INCOSE’s best paper award in its modeling, simulation and analysis category.

Catholic educators, environmental experts discuss Supreme Court climate ruling

In the wake of the Supreme Court ruling that curtails government action on climate change, the Catholic Studies Program of Detroit Mercy hosted a dialogue on July 14 bringing the religious and moral case for addressing climate change.

Students bring fruit fly science to kindergarteners

This spring, several Detroit Mercy College of Engineering & Science students brought microscopes to show dozens of local kindergarteners the science behind fruit flies. Students helped kindergarteners look at fruit flies underneath dissecting microscopes and distinguish differences in eye color and wing structure.

Cup of Science: Alumnus perfects the espresso experience

Robert McKeon Aloe, a 2006 alumnus of Detroit Mercy's College of Engineering & Sciences, works as a manager for Apple in California, but when he's not working for the innovative tech company, he's using data science to experiment with espresso.

Mehar Soni sits smiling next to a piano inside of the St. Ignatius Chapel.

Mehar Soni's love for literature, blossoming from her grandmother reading to her as a child, fueled the Detroit Mercy Class of 2022 valedictorian's dentistry dreams.

Mohammed Harhara crosses his arms and smiles for a photo.

Mohammed Harhara was a senior in high school when he moved more than 6,500 miles from his home in Saudi Arabia, it was just the first step that led him to Detroit Mercy.

Zena and Tanya Moaikel pose for a photograph in front of the Shiple Hall art mural.

Taking part in freshman orientation firsthand led Zena and Tanya Moaikel to become orientation leaders as soon as they could to help other incoming students transition into Detroit Mercy. 

Students discuss design implementation during a meeting.

Detroit Mercy’s multidisciplinary patient-centered program, coined Faces on Design, pairs seniors from the College of Engineering & Science and Nursing students from the College of Health Professions & McAuley School of Nursing to improve lives by designing assistive devices to combat the lack of solutions within the disabled community. 

A photo of the Jesus statue on the McNichols Campus, with the Clocktower and students visible in the background.

For the third year in a row, Detroit Mercy's graduate programs have ranked among the nation’s best.

A portrait photograph of Donald B. Taylor, Ph.D.

Donald B. Taylor, Ph.D., brings nearly three decades of higher education leadership in the areas of program development, accreditation, alumni relations, community partnership development, corporate and philanthropic fundraising success and commitment to adult/post-traditional students, international/global and online education, following decades as a researcher and educator at Catholic institutions.  

Tariq Masri-Zada, a Biology major in the ReBUILDetroit program, poses for a photograph.

Tariq Masri-Zada, a senior Biology major in the ReBUILDetroit program, is researching the effects of even small amounts of alcohol and drugs on response time of drivers. He driven in this research because his uncle was killed by a drunk driver.

An exterior photo of the Engineering Building's side entrance, with We are Mercy and We are Jesuit light pole banners visible.

The grant will expand Detroit Mercy’s iDRAW program by implementing AP Computer Science Principles courses and developing high school teachers to deliver high-quality computer science instruction.

Professor Alan Hoback sits in an electric vehicle, while student Brendan Lubiarz stands near the rear of the vehicle, for a posed photograph.

Professor Alan Hoback and student Brendan Lubiarz surveyed hundreds of homes in southeast Michigan to determine how easily they would be able to install electric vehicle chargers.

Biochemistry senior finds career path, passions at Detroit Mercy

Coryn Le is passionate about her Biochemistry research and aspires to help others through her career. But she's already making an impact outside of science by mentoring young boys.

Biology freshman eager to achieve dental dreams at Detroit Mercy

Hannah Benford, a Biology student from Bay City, Mich., dreams of one day becoming a dentist and owning her own practice. When the time comes, she hopes to continue her education at Detroit Mercy’s School of Dentistry.

A woman doing cyber security research

The Metro-Detroit Regional Vehicle Cybersecurity Institute is designed to expand and enhance the cybersecurity engineering workforce through an applied curriculum developed in consultation with industry partners.