SMU Lyle School of Engineering Welcomes Amin Salehi-Khojin, Ph.D. as Inaugural William T. Solomon Chair of Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Salehi-Khojin, a prolific scholar having co-authored over 100 journal publications, joins from University of Illinois at Chicago
SMU Lyle School of Engineering is excited to announce that Dr. Amin Salehi-Khojin has joined the faculty as the inaugural William T. Solomon Chair of Mechanical Engineering, effective August 1, 2024. Dr. Salehi-Khojin brings with him a distinguished record of academic and research excellence to his role as chair of the Mechanical Engineering Department.
Before joining SMU, Dr. Salehi-Khojin was a professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago, where he earned recognition as a University Scholar within the University of Illinois system. He held a joint appointment with Argonne National Laboratory, demonstrating his deep commitment to advancing engineering knowledge and innovation.
Dr. Salehi-Khojin holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Clemson University. He completed four years of postdoctoral studies in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His extensive research portfolio includes securing over $15 million in grants and leading multiple federally funded projects, such as those supported by DOE EarthShot, DOE-EERE, ARPA-E, NSF-EFRI, NSF-DMREF, and NSF-CBET.
A prolific scholar, Dr. Salehi-Khojin has co-authored over 100 journal publications, including landmark papers in Science, Nature, Nature Nanotechnology, and Nature Communications. His innovative contributions have led to more than 10 patents or patent applications. His research has not only garnered attention in the academic community but has also been featured in prominent media outlets such as The Times of London, The Guardian, New York Post, Science, Huffington Post, Forbes, Christian Science Monitor, MIT Technology Review, and many others. Notably, his work on Li-CO2 batteries captured widespread interest, with a corresponding video on Cold Fusion TV approaching 1,000,000 views on YouTube.
Dr. Salehi-Khojin's impact extends beyond the laboratory and classroom. His innovative approaches to engineering challenges have earned him the distinction of being named one of the 100 Leading Global Thinkers by Foreign Policy magazine, a recognition awarded to only eight individuals in the category of innovations.
At SMU, Dr. Salehi-Khojin will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the Mechanical Engineering Department and contributing to the broader mission of SMU Lyle School of Engineering. His leadership and expertise are set to inspire students, foster cutting-edge research, and advance our understanding of the most pressing engineering challenges of our time.
Please join us in welcoming Dr. Amin Salehi-Khojin to SMU Lyle. We look forward to the remarkable contributions he will make to our community and the exciting future that lies ahead.
About the Bobby Lyle School of Engineering
SMU's Lyle School of Engineering thrives on innovation that transcends traditional boundaries. We strongly believe in the power of externally funded, industry-supported research to drive progress and provide exceptional students with valuable industry insights. Our mission is to lead the way in digital transformation within engineering education, all while ensuring that every student graduates as a confident leader. Founded in 1925, SMU Lyle is one of the oldest engineering schools in the Southwest, offering undergraduate and graduate programs, including master’s and doctoral degrees.
About SMU
SMU is the nationally ranked global research university in the dynamic city of Dallas. SMU’s alumni, faculty and nearly 12,000 students in eight degree-granting schools demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit as they lead change in their professions, community and the world.