Faculty and Staff

Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering


	Shuvra Das Professor of Mechanical Engineering, teaches mechanics of materials, mechanical design, computer aided design, and finite element methods. His research interests and publications are in mechanistic modeling of manufacturing processes, solution of inverse problems, laser assisted manufacturing, and the thermo-mechanics of manufacturing. He received the Engineering Teacher of the Year Award in 1996. Das earned his B.Tech from Indian Institute of Technology, and M.S. and PhD. degrees from Iowa State University. He was a post-doctoral research associate at University of Notre Dame and worked as an analysis engineer for Concurrent Technologies Corporation prior to joining the University in 1993. Phone: (313)993-3380 \| Fax: (313) 993-1187 \| Email: dass@udmercy.edu Dr. Das' Research Page Dr. Das' Curriculum Vitae
	Nihad Dukhan Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, teaches thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid mechanics. His research interests include experimental and numerical methods related to heat transfer problems including strategic cooling of electronics, application and characterization of thermal properties of metallic foams. Dr. Dukhan is well-known for his efforts and involvement in undergraduate research. He holds a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from University of Toledo; an MSME and an MS-Applied Mathematics from University of Toledo; and a BSME from University of Toledo. His previous experience includes 4 years at the University of Puerto Rico-Mayaquez (associate professor), 4 years at Marconi Communications (senior research engineer), and 3 years at NASA Lewis (now Glenn) Research Center (researcher). Dr. Dukhan is a member of numerous professional societies including ASEE, ASME, ASHRAE, IIR (refrigeration) and CSA (cryogenics). He holds four patents and has authored or co-authored numerous archival publications, proceedings publications, and presentations. He joined the University in 2005. Phone: (313) 993-3285 \| Fax: (313) 993-1187 \| Email: nihad.dukhan@udmercy.edu Dr. Dukhan's Research Page Dr. Dukhan's Curriculum Vitae
	Arthur C. Haman Associate Dean and Professor Mechanical Engineering teaches prototype design, professional world of work, thermodynamics, and internal combustion engines. After graduation with a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from the University of Detroit, Haman accepted a position as a structural engineer at Northrup Aircraft, Los Angeles. After a year, he returned to the University. While moving through the academic ranks he completed a M.S. in Mechanical Engineering and a M.B.A. at the University of Detroit. Off-term industrial employment periods were spent at the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Command and Ford Motor Company. Haman joined the University in 1956. Phone: (313) 993-1216 \| Fax: (313) 993-1187 \| Email: hamana@udmercy.edu
	Kirstie Plantenberg Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, teaches statics, dynamics, numerical analysis, materials, design of experiments, and engineering graphics. Her research interests lie in Tribology, specifically the effects of vibration on friction. She holds a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. Before joining UDM, Dr. Plantenberg taught for several years at Wayne State University and two years at Minnesota State University, Mankato. She also worked at General Motors Corporation, Inland division and was involved in testing the safety and strength of new seat designs and designed new testing fixtures. She joined the University in 2000. Phone: (313) 993-1595 \| Fax: (313) 993-1187 \| Email: plantenk@udmercy.edu Dr. Plantenberg's Curriculum Vitae
	Nassif E. Rayess Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, teaches Statics, Dynamics, Senior Design, Mechanical Measurements, Product Entrepreneurship, and NVH. Dr. Rayess received his bachelor's and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering form Wayne State University and joined UDM as an Assistant Professor in 2001. His areas of interest are Noise, Vibration and Acoustics (NVH), Solid Mechanics and Design, Numerical Techniques such as FEM and BEM, and Optics. His current research is focused on experimental work in the area of Noise and Acoustics. Phone: (313) 993-1402 \| Fax: (313) 993-1187 \| Email: rayesna@udmercy.edu Dr. Rayess's Curriculum Vitae
	Mark R. Schumack Professor of Mechanical Engineering teaches heat transfer, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and energy systems. His research interests lie in thermal/fluid modeling using computational techniques, including applications in the automotive and manufacturing fields. He is also currently developing multimedia modules for manufacturing engineering candidates at Focus:Hope in Detroit. He has recently published articles about numerical techniques for lubrication phenomena and case studies for heat transfer education. Schumack earned his BS, MS, and Ph.D. degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan. He joined the University in 1991. Phone: (313) 993-3370 \| Fax: (313) 993-1187 \| Email: schumamr@udmercy.edu Dr. Schumack's Research Page Dr. Schumack's Curriculum Vitae
	Jonathan M. Weaver Professor and Chair of Mechanical Engineering teaches statics, dynamics, vehicle dynamics, robotics, machine design, DOE, mechanical measurements laboratory, CAE, innovation, product planning and development, design for X, systems engineering and systems architecture. His research interests relate to robotics, vehicle dynamics, design of experiments, robust design, innovation and creativity, and the product development process. He holds a BS from Virginia Tech, and MS and PhD from RPI and is a Kern Fellow. Phone: (313) 993-3372 \| Fax: (313) 993-1187 \| Email: weaverjm@udmercy.edu Dr. Weaver's Research Page Dr. Weaver's Curriculum Vitae

Manufacturing Engineering

Faculty and Staff

Mostafa Mehrabi

Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering teaches courses in the areas of manufacturing systems, manufacturing processes, computer integrated manufacturing, and quality control systems. He received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Concordia University (Montreal, Canada) in 1994. Prior to joining UDM in 2002, he was a research faculty in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

He has several years experience (academia and industry) in research, design and development of modern manufacturing systems, advanced processes and their monitoring systems, industrial control systems and industrial automation. His research interests and publications are in general area of advanced manufacturing systems, computer control of manufacturing systems, computer integrated manufacturing, and automation of production systems (hardware and software). He is a reviewer of several reputable journals/conferences in his areas of interest.

He has several years of experiences (academia and industry) in research, design and development of automated machines and manufacturing systems, mechatronic systems as applied to manufacturing, industrial control systems and industrial automation.

He is the recipient of the award of Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) for outstanding research achievements in 1996 and the winner (year 1995) of the Quebec Government Industrial Fellowship, Canada.

Phone: (313)993-1656 | Fax: (313) 993-1187 | Email: mostafme@udmercy.edu

Dr. Mehrabi's Research Page

Dr. Mehrabi's Curriculum Vitae


	Shuvra Das Professor of Mechanical Engineering, teaches mechanics of materials, mechanical design, computer aided design, and finite element methods. His research interests and publications are in mechanistic modeling of manufacturing processes, solution of inverse problems, laser assisted manufacturing, and the thermo-mechanics of manufacturing. He received the Engineering Teacher of the Year Award in 1996. Das earned his B.Tech from Indian Institute of Technology, and M.S. and PhD. degrees from Iowa State University. He was a post-doctoral research associate at University of Notre Dame and worked as an analysis engineer for Concurrent Technologies Corporation prior to joining the University in 1993. Phone: (313)993-3380 \| Fax: (313) 993-1187 \| Email: dass@udmercy.edu Dr. Das' Research Page Dr. Das' Curriculum Vitae
	Nihad Dukhan Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, teaches thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid mechanics. His research interests include experimental and numerical methods related to heat transfer problems including strategic cooling of electronics, application and characterization of thermal properties of metallic foams. Dr. Dukhan is well-known for his efforts and involvement in undergraduate research. He holds a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from University of Toledo; an MSME and an MS-Applied Mathematics from University of Toledo; and a BSME from University of Toledo. His previous experience includes 4 years at the University of Puerto Rico-Mayaquez (associate professor), 4 years at Marconi Communications (senior research engineer), and 3 years at NASA Lewis (now Glenn) Research Center (researcher). Dr. Dukhan is a member of numerous professional societies including ASEE, ASME, ASHRAE, IIR (refrigeration) and CSA (cryogenics). He holds four patents and has authored or co-authored numerous archival publications, proceedings publications, and presentations. He joined the University in 2005. Phone: (313) 993-3285 \| Fax: (313) 993-1187 \| Email: nihad.dukhan@udmercy.edu Dr. Dukhan's Research Page Dr. Dukhan's Curriculum Vitae
	Arthur C. Haman Associate Dean and Professor Mechanical Engineering teaches prototype design, professional world of work, thermodynamics, and internal combustion engines. After graduation with a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from the University of Detroit, Haman accepted a position as a structural engineer at Northrup Aircraft, Los Angeles. After a year, he returned to the University. While moving through the academic ranks he completed a M.S. in Mechanical Engineering and a M.B.A. at the University of Detroit. Off-term industrial employment periods were spent at the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Command and Ford Motor Company. Haman joined the University in 1956. Phone: (313) 993-1216 \| Fax: (313) 993-1187 \| Email: hamana@udmercy.edu
	Kirstie Plantenberg Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, teaches statics, dynamics, numerical analysis, materials, design of experiments, and engineering graphics. Her research interests lie in Tribology, specifically the effects of vibration on friction. She holds a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. Before joining UDM, Dr. Plantenberg taught for several years at Wayne State University and two years at Minnesota State University, Mankato. She also worked at General Motors Corporation, Inland division and was involved in testing the safety and strength of new seat designs and designed new testing fixtures. She joined the University in 2000. Phone: (313) 993-1595 \| Fax: (313) 993-1187 \| Email: plantenk@udmercy.edu Dr. Plantenberg's Curriculum Vitae
	Nassif E. Rayess Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, teaches Statics, Dynamics, Senior Design, Mechanical Measurements, Product Entrepreneurship, and NVH. Dr. Rayess received his bachelor's and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering form Wayne State University and joined UDM as an Assistant Professor in 2001. His areas of interest are Noise, Vibration and Acoustics (NVH), Solid Mechanics and Design, Numerical Techniques such as FEM and BEM, and Optics. His current research is focused on experimental work in the area of Noise and Acoustics. Phone: (313) 993-1402 \| Fax: (313) 993-1187 \| Email: rayesna@udmercy.edu Dr. Rayess's Curriculum Vitae
	Mark R. Schumack Professor of Mechanical Engineering teaches heat transfer, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and energy systems. His research interests lie in thermal/fluid modeling using computational techniques, including applications in the automotive and manufacturing fields. He is also currently developing multimedia modules for manufacturing engineering candidates at Focus:Hope in Detroit. He has recently published articles about numerical techniques for lubrication phenomena and case studies for heat transfer education. Schumack earned his BS, MS, and Ph.D. degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan. He joined the University in 1991. Phone: (313) 993-3370 \| Fax: (313) 993-1187 \| Email: schumamr@udmercy.edu Dr. Schumack's Research Page Dr. Schumack's Curriculum Vitae
	Jonathan M. Weaver Professor and Chair of Mechanical Engineering teaches statics, dynamics, vehicle dynamics, robotics, machine design, DOE, mechanical measurements laboratory, CAE, innovation, product planning and development, design for X, systems engineering and systems architecture. His research interests relate to robotics, vehicle dynamics, design of experiments, robust design, innovation and creativity, and the product development process. He holds a BS from Virginia Tech, and MS and PhD from RPI and is a Kern Fellow. Phone: (313) 993-3372 \| Fax: (313) 993-1187 \| Email: weaverjm@udmercy.edu Dr. Weaver's Research Page Dr. Weaver's Curriculum Vitae

UDM College of Engineering and Science

Faculty and Staff

Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering

Manufacturing Engineering