- Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering
- Gulf Oil/Thomas A. Dietz Career Development Professor I
- Phone: 979-845-1919
- FAX: 979-845-3081
- Email: rmalak@tamu.edu
- Office: MEOB 325
- Website: Research Webpage

Educational Background
- Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology — 2008
- M.S., Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology — 2005
- M.S., Electrical and Computer Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University — 2000
- B.E., Electrical and Computer Engineering, Stony Brook University — 1998
Research Interests
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Computational methods (including optimization, machine learning, AI) for supporting engineering systems design; decision making in systems engineering; design and systems engineering theory; applications to materials design, smart structures, and complex engineered systems.
Awards & Honors
- Gulf Oil/Thomas A. Dietz Faculty Fellow, 2017-present
- Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) Young Faculty Fellow Award, 2014
- Lockheed Martin Teaching Excellence Award, College of Engineering, Texas A&M University, 2014
- Morris E. Foster Faculty Fellow I in Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, Texas A&M University, 2014
- Engineering Genesis Award for Multidisciplinary Research, College of Engineering, Texas A&M University. Given in recognition of success in leading large-scale multidisciplinary research projects at Texas A&M, 2014
- Peggy L. and Charles L. Brittan 65 Teaching Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Texas A&M University, 2013
Selected Publications
- Vermillion, S. and Malak, R. (2020) “An Investigation on Requirement and Objective Allocation Strategies using a Principal-Agent Model” Systems Engineering. 23(1). DOI: 10.1002/sys.21511.
- Eliseeva, O.V., Kirk, T., Samimi, P., Malak, R., Arroyave, R., Elwany, A. and Karaman, I (2019) “Functionally Graded Materials Through Robotics-Inspired Path Planning” Materials and Design. 182(15)
- Kirk, T., Galvan, E., Malak, R. and Arroyave, R. (2018) “Computational Design of Gradient Paths in Additively Manufactured Functionally Graded Materials” ASME Journal of Mechanical Design. 140(11).
- Hartl, D., Galvan, E., Malak, R. and Baur, J. (2016) “Parameterized Design Optimization of a Magnetohydrodynamic Liquid Metal Active Cooling Concept” ASME Journal of Mechanical Design. 138(3) 031402-031402-11. DOI: 10.1115/1.4032268.
- Peraza-Hernandez, E., Hartl, D., Malak, R.J., and Lagoudas, D. (2014) “Origami Inspired Active Structures: A Synthesis and Review,” Smart Materials and Structures. 23(9) 094001.