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MMPEI Director receives Michigan Engineering’s top honor

Dennis Assanis

The University of Michigan’s College of Engineering recently presented Prof. Dennis Assanis, director and fellow of the Michigan Memorial Phoenix Energy Institute, with the Stephen S. Attwood Award, the College’s highest faculty honor.

Given annually, the Attwood Award recognizes recipients’ extraordinary achievement in teaching, research, service, and other activities that have brought distinction to the College and University. It is named for the late dean of Michigan Engineering.

“There’s no question that Professor Assanis has not just met these criteria,” said David Munson, the Robert J. Vlasic Dean of Engineering. “He has surpassed them with boundless energy.”

Munson noted that Assanis’s research in the fundamental physics of engines consistently attracts support from leading public and private sector agencies, corporations and organizations. His advances in HCCI combustion engines, for example, have helped the automotive industry improve fuel economy by some 20 percent, while eliminating nitrogen oxide gasses and particulate emissions.

In recognition of his teaching skill, Assanis has received numerous awards, including being named an Arthur F. Thurnau Professor. Munson noted that Assanis has been an effective advisor to the U-M chapter of the Society of Automotive Engineers and served as an advisor to the College’s Future Car team. He has been equally involved with graduate students as director of the College’s Program in Automotive Engineering.

Assanis has served as chair of the Mechanical Engineering department. Under his leadership as MMPEI director, the Institute was recently named home to a U.S.-China Clean Energy Research Center, one of only three in the country.

Additional MMPEI fellows honored by the College with 2010-2011 awards, include: