Duke Engineering

From May 19-21, Duke University brought together leading experts in commercial aviation to discuss the future of the industry during the first regional meeting of the National Academy of Engineering hosted at Duke.

Participants dove into pressing topics from the realities of incorporating AI and autonomy into the modernization of air traffic control to exploring new business models and operational frameworks poised to build safer and more efficient aircraft and airspace systems for the next era.

✈️🔗 Catch the recap and summaries of each session: https://bit.ly/4a6NN6s

Sarah Willmann '26 BSE arrived at looking to solve problems at the intersection of math, science and sustainability, and what she found surprised her.

"You would not believe how much research there is to do in the realm of concrete and cement, and there’s a small but vibrant community of people who make it happen."

From a National Science Foundation (NSF) research experience at the University of Colorado Boulder to joining Laura Dalton's lab, Sarah dove deep into a research setting she didn't expect to love. Along the way, she led Duke's chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers all while serving as drumline captain.

Sarah's story demonstrates everything that's possible at Duke CEE. Read more: https://bit.ly/4uDSaO9

Duke University | Forever Duke

Next week, the National Academy of Engineering is bringing together leaders from industry, government and academia to explore the future of commercial aviation at a regional event hosted by Duke Engineering and the Office of the Provost.

The program will focus on next-generation challenges and solutions in aviation, including innovation and emerging technologies, climate and weather-related considerations and air traffic control advancements.

🗓️ May 19-21, 2026
📍 Fitzpatrick Center, Duke University

✈️ Register for the event: https://bit.ly/42xc1CO

Last weekend, we celebrated 329 new BSEs, 766 master's graduates and 125 new PhDs as they walked the stage.

Congratulations to our Class of 2026. You’ve earned this! 💙🎓

Catch our commencement recap: https://bit.ly/48Wwbd7

CBS 17 put a spotlight on the Christensen Family Center for Innovation's BRiDGE incubator at the historic Chesterfield building in Durham, giving startups access to affordable lab space and a collaborative community among other resources.

"If we didn't have the BRiDGE, I don't know if we would've gotten the first 3D printer off the kitchen table," shared Protect3d CEO and Duke MEMS alum Kevin Gehsmann, whose company designs custom 3D bracing products for elite athletes, including customers from the NFL and NBA.

🔗 Catch the full story: https://www.cbs17.com/news/special-reports/incubator-at-duke-university-empowering-startups-entrepreneurial-dreams/

📸: Discover Durham

We’re looking for rising sophomores from Duke Engineering and Trinity College of Arts & Sciences to serve as our multimedia interns in Fall 2026. 📸 🎥

Confidence in contributing bold and creative ideas, self-starter energy and the ability to manage multiple projects are a must! Sound like you? Apply by May 15th.

🔗 Trinity application: https://bit.ly/42OBS9i

🔗 Pratt application: https://bit.ly/4n6o3MO

Congratulations to Duke ECE's Robert Calderbank and Duke BME's Amy Gladfelter on their recent election to the National Academy of Sciences.

Calderbank is an information technology pioneer whose contributions include voiceband modem technology used in more than a billion devices worldwide, signal coding incorporated into 3G, 4G, and 5G wireless standards and theoretical frameworks for quantum computation.

Gladfelter, who is also the Duke Health Distinguished Professor of Cell Biology and a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Duke University School of Medicine, uses a cross-disciplinary approach to investigate how multi-nucleated cells organize and function, which are critical components of human muscles, the placenta, and some cancers and fungi.

"Their distinguished careers and many contributions to their fields are the result of an enduring commitment to advancing knowledge that is the essence of science, and we are proud to count them as members of Duke University's faculty," shared Provost Dr. Alec Gallimore.

https://bit.ly/4ui0hjj

Two Duke Faculty Elected to National Academy of Sciences | Duke Today Two Duke Faculty Elected to National Academy of Sciences Distinguished honor includes providing policy advice to the federal government Image Robert Calderbank, left, and Amy Gladfelter join the National Academy of Sciences in 2026. Caption Close Image Robert Calderbank, left, and Amy Gladfelter joi...

This coming Monday, GDDI is celebrating its first graduating class and the four original games they’re bringing to the market. Join us for an evening of hands-on play and live demos of games two years in the making. 🎮

🗓 Monday, May 4 | 2–5 PM
📍 Penn Pavilion, Duke University
🔗 Register: https://bit.ly/3ONbglS

Congratulations to Hai (Helen) Li on being elected a fellow of the AAAS - The American Association for the Advancement of Science, one of the world’s largest general scientific societies and publisher of the Science family of journals.

Li, chair of Duke ECE with a joint appointment in the Department of Computer Science, was recognized for distinguished contributions to the hardware design and implementation of machine learning algorithms, their translation to industrial practice, related educational endeavors and service to the profession.

🔗 https://pratt.duke.edu/news/helen-li-aaas-2026/