The Department of Mechanical, Materials, and Aerospace Engineering at Illinois Tech hosted the annual MMAE Student Research Poster Competition and departmental awards ceremony on March 28, 2025. This event garners interest and participation from students, faculty, and the Illinois Tech community.
This year, 29 students from the department presented posters showcasing a range of research projects. The competition included a presentation from Robert Drubka, the recipient of the 2025 MMAE Distinguished Alumni Award. Drubka, an Arizona State University research program manager and an alumnus of Illinois Tech, discussed his involvement in the SHIELD U.S.A. initiative during his lecture titled “Advancing the Revival of American Microelectronics.” The initiative, which has a budget of $100 million, aims to reestablish the U.S. as a leader in microelectronics to enhance national security, drive economic growth, and maintain global competitiveness.
Several awards were distributed during the ceremony. The 2025 MMAE Excellence in Teaching Award went to Associate Teaching Professor Sayed Saghaian. Assistant Professor Amir Mostafaei received the 2025 MMAE Excellence in Research Award. The 2025 Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award was awarded to Atulya Ashokan, while Adwoa Adunyah was recognized with the 2025 Outstanding Research Assistant Award. The 2025 MMAE Outstanding Service Award recognized Administrative Associate Lee Samsami Stein.
In the student competition categories, Yago Lopez Rivera took first place in the Bachelor's and Master's Category, with Naftali Bojdak-Yates and Hannah Markiewicz earning second and third places, respectively. In the Doctoral Category, King Longdon Ankobea-Ansah won first place, with David Cañones Bonham and Prashanth Tamilselvam securing the second and third positions.
The event concluded with a group photo of the students and faculty involved in the 2025 MMAE poster competition.