WashU McKelvey Engineering

One year after falling just short of the finish line, WashU Racing came back stronger.

The student team earned the best finish in McKelvey history at Formula SAE Michigan, placing 25th overall and taking home first place in the Business Presentation event. They also successfully completed every dynamic event, including the endurance race that tested months of hard work, determination and engineering excellence.

As the team says: "Building People by Building Cars."

Congratulations on an unforgettable season. 🏁

Learn more about them.

https://engineering.washu.edu/news/2026/WashU-Racing-earns-best-overall-finish-in-its-history.html

"This is going to be cool when it works."

Every fall, McKelvey engineering seniors take on open-ended design challenges that push them to think beyond the classroom. From brainstorming and prototyping to testing and redesigning, students gain firsthand experience navigating the engineering design process while creating solutions for real customers.

Sometimes the best lessons come from building something that doesn't work perfectly the first time.

Read more about the course in Momentum Magazine.

https://engineering.washu.edu/news/magazine/2026-spring/driven-by-design.html

What drives a leader?

For James Friend, it’s perseverance. For ShiNung Ching, it’s curiosity.

In the latest issue of Momentum, get to know the new department chairs leading Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science and Electrical & Systems Engineering as they share their vision for the future of research, collaboration and student success at WashU.

Get to know more about them.

Meet the new department chairs Friend brings medical device expertise, persevering attitude to McKelvey Engineering. Ching’s expertise in neuroengineering brings strengths of electrical & systems engineering together..

Beginning in fall 2026, WashU students will have a new opportunity to build expertise in artificial intelligence.

The new minor in Computational Artificial Intelligence, offered through the McKelvey School of Engineering, will help students develop the knowledge and skills needed to work with one of today’s most transformative technologies.

The program will be open to eligible undergraduate students across WashU.

Learn more.
https://engineering.washu.edu/news/2026/New-minor-in-computational-artificial-intelligence-offered-at-Washington-University-in-St-Louis.html

Launching in fall 2026, McKelvey Engineering’s new Systems Engineering for Social Good minor will give students the tools to think critically about fairness, bias, ethics and the real-world impact of engineered systems — bridging technical innovation with community-centered problem solving.

New minor in systems engineering for social good offered at Washington University in St. Louis Program will equip students with ability to connect technical decisions with societal outcomes

The tassels have turned, but we’re still celebrating.

A few favorite moments from Commencement 2026 with the graduates, families and community that made the day so special. 🎓

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As AI and connected technologies become more deeply embedded in everyday life, protecting cyberphysical systems is increasingly critical.

In the latest issue of Momentum, WashU McKelvey Engineering researcher Ning Zhang shares how his lab is working to secure the technologies people rely on — from AI systems to 3D-printed medical devices — while preparing for a future where humans and computing are even more closely connected.

Zhang’s work in cyberphysical security has earned national recognition, including recent honors from the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Army Research Office.

Learn more.

The unseen war Ning Zhang uses his cybersecurity expertise to anticipate and thwart threats in an increasingly interconnected world

The WashU McKelvey School of Engineering has named Christopher D. Ramsay associate dean for undergraduate programs, effective June 22, 2026.

Ramsay returns to McKelvey after previously serving as assistant dean and director of undergraduate admissions and student success from 2012–2021. He also served as associate director of the Skandalaris Center before joining the WashU School of Law as chief of staff.

In his new role, Ramsay will support academic success, advising and the undergraduate experience for McKelvey’s 1,700 students.

He succeeds J. Chris Kroeger, who will retire this summer after 35 years of service to WashU.

Learn more.

Ramsay named associate dean of undergraduate programs in McKelvey Engineering Chris Ramsay returns to McKelvey Engineering; succeeds Chris Kroeger

What do clean drinking water, air pollution monitoring and AI for health have in common?

Engineering.

Our latest Momentum cover story highlights how McKelvey Engineering researchers are advancing public health through interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative research designed to improve lives and communities around the world.

From environmental engineering to artificial intelligence, McKelvey faculty are helping to shape the future of public health.

Read the full story.

Engineering public health Research in McKelvey Engineering intersects with public health