The UNT College of Engineering has named Mo-How Herman Shen chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering.

Shen joins the college from The Ohio State University where he was a professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering. He is a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

"I am honored and grateful for the opportunity to chair the very best combined department in the nation," said Shen. "Following the profound accomplishment from the department’s leadership, I am committed to helping the Department of Mechanical Engineering achieve the goal of educating globally-competitive engineers and tomorrow's leaders through innovative curriculum and leading-edge research within the expansive area of mechanical engineering. This department will be the right place to start for companies seeking talented leaders with real-world problem-solving skillsets."

As a researcher, Shen has pioneered developments in structural health management framework and fatigue life prediction schemes for gas turbine engines, airframes, composites, additive manufacturing parts, power generation assets, wind turbines, offshore platforms, pipelines and auto bodies. His efforts also include bridging the deep learning and engineering applications in the design and manufacturing processes. Shen’s research is supported by more than $10 million in funding from various agencies and companies, including NASA, Air Force Research Laboratory, NAVAIR, ALCOA, National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, General Electric, Idaho National Labs, Boeing, DAGSI, Pratt & Whitney, Lockheed Martin, F.tech R&D, General Motors, and Honda R&D, among others.

He is a recipient of the Air Force Research Initiation Award, ALCOA Science Foundation Award, and The Ohio State University College of Engineering Lumley Research Award. Shen has published more than 200 journal papers, book chapters, U.S. Patents and technical reports.

"Our Department of Mechanical Engineering has built up a critical mass and upward momentum for greater successes. I am delighted to work with Dr. Shen as he leads the department in actualizing that potential of success," said Dean Hanchen Huang.

Shen received his master’s and doctoral degrees from the Department of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor.