Mechanical engineering former student Dr. Sung-Hwa Jeung has been awarded the 2020 Burt Newkirk Investigator Award by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).
Jeung, who graduated in 2017 with his doctoral degree from the J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M University, was recognized for his contributions in the area of dampers in rotordynamics and collaborative engineering.
While at Texas A&M, Jeung was advised by Dr. Luis San Andres, Mast-Childs Chair Professor in the department.
“Dr. Jeung, in spite of his young age, has made notable and permanent contributions to the field of fluid film lubrication and rotordynamics of turbomachinery,” San Andres said. “He epitomizes the modern engineer scholar. He is truly innovative, moving inventions into commercial engineered applications in little time and with minimum resources. He can do more with less and will envision an opportunity where other only see problems or limitations.”
Recipients for the award must be under the age of 40, a member of ASME and have made notable contributions to the field of tribology in research or development as evidenced by important tribology publications.
Jeung is the third graduate from San Andres’ group to be selected for the award in the last 20 years. Previous recipients include Tae-Ho Kim in 2013 and Sergio Diaz in 2003.