Chen appointed materials engineering program chair
Published: May 26, 2026 7:30 AM
By Joe McAdory
Pengyu Chen assumes the role of materials engineering program chair on July 1.
Pengyu Chen, the Francis Family Professor and Ginn Faculty Achievement Fellow in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, has been appointed materials engineering program chair, effective July 1.
Since arriving in 2016, Chen has established a nationally recognized research program in biosensors and diagnostic technologies. Supported by more than $8 million in federal research funding, including a National Science Foundation CAREER Award and multiple National Institutes of Health grants, his team develops nanoparticle‑based tools for rapid, precise point‑of‑care diagnostics.
“Dr. Chen has established himself as an innovative researcher, a collaborative colleague and a dedicated mentor to our students,” said George Flowers, chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering. “His leadership, vision and commitment to advancing materials engineering education and research make him exceptionally well‑suited for this role. We are excited to see him build on the strong foundation of the program and help lead it into the future.”
Chen is grateful for the support of faculty and leadership within the college and is excited about the program’s future.
“Materials engineering has a strong tradition of excellence in research, education and service, and I am excited to help build on that foundation as we continue to elevate the program’s visibility, expand its impact and create new opportunities for our students and faculty,” he said. “My vision is to build materials engineering into a more visible, collaborative and forward‑looking program with growing national strength in research, a modernized and student‑centered educational experience, and a stronger pipeline of future materials engineers.
“On the research side, I am particularly excited about building on the program’s strong foundation in funded research, fostering greater collaboration across faculty and positioning the program for larger multidisciplinary and center‑scale opportunities in areas such as advanced materials, biosensing and smart healthcare systems and quantum‑related technologies. At the same time, I look forward to advancing the curriculum in emerging areas, such as computational materials and continuing to enhance the student experience in ways that attract, support and inspire the next generation of materials engineers,” he added.
Chen replaces Bart Prorok, who will now serve as chair of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of Missouri, effective July 1.
“Dr. Prorok has been an outstanding leader for our materials engineering program and a valued member of the Department of Mechanical Engineering,” said Mario Eden, dean of engineering. “His dedication to research excellence, student success and interdisciplinary collaboration elevated Auburn’s materials engineering profile while supporting students and faculty. We are grateful for his impact and wish him continued success in this next chapter of his career.”
Media Contact: , jem0040@auburn.edu, 334.844.3447
