Leslie A. Rose Department of Mechanical Engineering - South Dakota Mines

09/04/2026

We are pleased to recognize Dr. Xun (Vincent) Wang as he transitions to a tenure-track Assistant Professor in the Leslie A. Rose Department of Mechanical Engineering! Dr. Wang’s research interests include thermal and heat transfer analysis, phase change materials, thermal management, thermal storage systems, thermal insulation, and building energy consumption and conservation.

Dr. Wang joined the department in January 2025 after earning his Ph.D. in Mechanical and Energy Engineering from the University of North Texas, where he served as both a graduate research assistant and teaching assistant. In his new role, he will continue contributing to our students and department through his teaching and research.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Wang on this new chapter in his faculty career!

09/03/2026

Meet Our New Faculty - Dr. O. Haldun Unalmis!

We are excited to welcome Dr. O. Haldun Unalmis to the Leslie A. Rose Department of Mechanical Engineering as a Professor! Dr. Unalmis specializes in experimental fluid dynamics, turbulent flows, fluid-structure interactions, and optical and electronic technologies for multiphase flow measurement. He brings 35 years of combined experience in academia and the oil and gas industry to the department. Dr. Unalmis is also a member of AIAA, ASA, and SPE.

Dr. Unalmis joined the department in August 2026 and is bringing his expertise and industry perspective to our growing faculty. We are pleased to have him join our team and look forward to the contributions he will make to our students and department.

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Unalmis! Stay tuned as we introduce one more member of our faculty.

09/02/2026

Meet Our New Faculty - Dr. Hossein Ghorbani!

We are excited to welcome Dr. Hossein Ghorbani to the Leslie A. Rose Department of Mechanical Engineering as a Lecturer! Dr. Ghorbani develops and applies finite element methods, computational mechanics, and machine learning techniques to address challenges in manufacturing and materials engineering. His research interests include powder compaction, metal forming, crystal plasticity, fatigue analysis, tribology, and optimization of manufacturing processes.

Dr. Ghorbani joined us in August 2026 and is already becoming an important part of our growing department. We’re pleased to have him on the team and look forward to the expertise and perspective he brings to our students and faculty.

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Ghorbani to the department! And stay tuned as we introduce the other new faculty members joining us this year.

08/31/2026

One of our mechanical engineering students and Hardrocker football captains made a life-saving difference this summer. Read the story of his quick action that helped save a Texas teen:
https://www.sdsmt.edu/news/releases/footballplayersavesteen.html

08/19/2026

Congratulations to mechanical engineering assistant professor Dr. Joseph Thalakkottor on being named one of South Dakota Mines’ inaugural Teaching Rockstars!

The Teaching Rockstars Award recognizes faculty who are dedicated to their students, bring innovative approaches to the classroom, and go above and beyond in their teaching. We’re excited to see Dr. Thalakkottor recognized for his work and commitment to our students.

Pictured left to right: South Dakota Mines President Dr. Brian Tande, Dr. Joseph Thalakkottor, and Provost Dr. Jim Stone.

07/30/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Cristian Vargas-Ordóñez on being named a 2026 KEEN Rising Star! One of just 19 faculty members selected nationwide, Dr. Vargas-Ordóñez is being recognized for his innovative approach to engineering education that combines hands-on learning, human-centered design, and an entrepreneurial mindset. We're proud to have him in the Leslie A. Rose Department of Mechanical Engineering.

Read more: https://www.sdsmt.edu/news/releases/2026KEENRisingStar.html

07/15/2026

Thanks to the generosity and long-standing support of Gary and Connie Grittner, students at this year's Grittner STEM Expedition explored aerospace engineering using a new particle image velocimetry (PIV) system the couple helped fund. Dr. Joseph John Thalakkottor used the equipment to introduce campers to aerospace engineering concepts through hands-on activities. The system will also support teaching and research in the university’s aerospace engineering courses throughout the academic year. Read more:

For more than a decade, Gary and Connie Grittner have quietly helped hundreds of high school students discover the excitement of STEM through South Dakota Mines summer camps, such as the STEM Exploration camp, as well as other student scholarships. This year, the university recognized that enduring....

07/07/2026

Mechanical engineering students Zach Karg, Carson Daly, and Stirling Wallace are teaming up with Dr. Prasoon Diwakar to explore new possibilities in precision agriculture.

Their work combines engineering, technology, and agriculture to develop tools that can help improve farming practices and resource management.

Learn more about their research and how South Dakota Mines is preparing students to tackle challenges across industries: https://www.sdsmt.edu/news/releases/precisionagriculture.html

05/27/2026

Designapalooza always shows just how creative and innovative our ME students can be, and this semester's projects did not disappoint.

05/21/2026

Dr. Micah Lande has been granted tenure and promoted to the rank of associate professor. He joined the department in August 2019 as the E.R. Stensaas Chair and has been a strong advocate for engineering education and project-based learning. His work centers on design thinking and hands-on learning, and he has been actively involved in advancing KEEN initiatives on the South Dakota Mines campus while directing the Holistic Engineering Lab & Observatory.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Lande!