Panneer Selvam named Engineering Mechanics Institute fellow

R. Panneer Selvam, an Indian American Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Arkansas, has been named a Fellow of the Engineering Mechanics Institute.

This prestigious recognition is awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of engineering mechanics and have demonstrated outstanding leadership within the community.

A vital member of the civil engineering faculty since 1986, Selvam is first member of the faculty to receive this appointment, according to a university press release. His expertise and dedication to civil engineering education and research have benefitted students and colleagues alike, it says. His innovative work in computational mechanics, wind engineering, and structural dynamics has earned him a reputation as a leading authority in his field.

“It is a tremendous honor to be named a Fellow of the Engineering Mechanics Institute,” said Selvam. ”

To become an EMI Fellow, individuals typically undergo a rigorous nomination and selection process. Nominees are evaluated based on their significant contributions to advancing the understanding and application of engineering mechanics principles, as well as their leadership and service within the engineering community.

Selvam cites several factors leading up to this appointment: his four decades of work and research in engineering mechanics; most especially his work on computational fluid dynamics for wind engineering, thermal management for electronics, and nanomechanics.

Elected in 2019 as a member of the EMI Board of Governors, he has also served as associate editor for the Journal of Engineering Mechanics. Selvam’s research has been widely published in top-tier journals and he has been an active participant in numerous professional conferences and symposia.

Some of his most notable contributions include thermal management for electronics for the US Air Force, US Navy, and NASA; thermal energy storage in concrete for the Department of Energy; computing tornado forces on building for the National Science Foundation; finding the atomic structure of concrete using molecular dynamics for the Mack Blackwell Rural Transport Center; and computing critical velocity for bridge flutter for Mack Blackwell and the Federal Highway Administration.

In addition to his research, Selvam is dedicated to teaching and mentoring the next generation of engineers, preparing them for the challenges of their careers.

His advice to future civil engineers? “Take an interest in solving some of the challenging issues to humanity like climate change effects on things like severe wind, air quality, water quality and the effects of these on everyday life.”

He has supervised numerous graduate students, many of whom have gone on to successful careers in academia, industry, and government.

“Dr. Selvam’s recognition as an EMI Fellow is a testament to his outstanding contributions to the field of engineering mechanics,” said Dr. Micah Hale, Head of the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Arkansas.

“His commitment to excellence in research, education, and service exemplifies the values we strive to uphold within our department and the broader engineering community.”

As an EMI Fellow, Selvam joins an elite group of engineers who have been acknowledged for their impact on the field. Selvam will be formally recognized along with other members of the EMI Fellows Class of 2024 at the EMI/PMC Awards Banquet on May 30, 2024, in Chicago, Illinois.