Pursuing a PhD in mechanical engineering at UWM’s College of Engineering & Applied Science means joining an R1 research university where your work contributes new knowledge and real-world solutions.
Doctoral students at UWM conduct original research alongside faculty who are leaders in areas such as advanced manufacturing and materials, energy and sustainability, robotics and intelligent systems, fluid mechanics and computational modeling, and health-related engineering. You’ll have the freedom to explore complex problems, develop novel methodologies, and publish research that makes an impact in industry, government, and academia.
UWM offers a supportive, collaborative PhD environment with close faculty mentorship and strong interdisciplinary connections across engineering, health sciences, and industry. Students benefit from access to modern research facilities, external funding opportunities, and partnerships that expand the reach and relevance of their work.
Located in Milwaukee, UWM provides proximity to manufacturing, energy, healthcare, and technology sectors, creating opportunities for applied research, industry collaboration, and professional networking. Graduates leave prepared for careers as research leaders, faculty members, innovators, and technical experts.
A PhD from UWM is more than a credential—it is a platform for discovery, leadership, and lasting impact.
Advance knowledge. Shape the future. Lead through research—at UWM.
Assistantship decisions are made by the academic departments only after an applicant has been accepted to the program.
Mechanical Engineering Research Labs
The team at the Center for Sustainable Electrical Energy Systems (SEES), led by Rob Cuzner, are exploring methods to make electric power systems more sustainable, cost-effective, and secure through research on energy storage, microgrid systems, and renewable energy sources.
The Connected Systems Institute (CSI), led by Joe Hamann, accelerates innovation by bringing together industry and academic researcher to facilitate digital transformation for small and medium-sized manufacturers, ultimately developing an educational curriculum to better prepare the workforce of the future.
In the Energy Storage Research Laboratory, led by Deyang Qu, the focus is on fundamental electrochemical research, seeking new materials and understanding reaction mechanisms in the areas of renewable energy, sensor and water treatment.
The mission of GRid-connected Advanced Power Electrical Systems (GRAPES), led by Rob Cuzner, is to accelerate the adoption and insertion of power electronics into the grid in order to improve system stability, flexibility, robustness, and economy.
The Industrial Training and Assessment Center (ITAC), led by Ryo Amano, is a Department of Energy program dedicated to helping small and medium-sized manufacturers and wastewater treatment plants minimize their energy costs through efficient use of resources
The Machine Shop, led by Michael Brown, is a hands-on facility with state-of-the-art manual and computer-assisted equipment and machine tools used by faculty, students, and members of industry.
As an R1 research institution, research is integral to our work at UWM and to the experience of students pursuing graduate degrees. Our college has a wide range of faculty-led labs that perform cutting edge research. Full list of our college’s research labs, centers and institutes.
Poster Competition & Three Minute Thesis
The annual Poster Competition & Three Minute Thesis is a signature event for our college. Students gain valuable communication experience sharing their research and out-of-classroom experiences with faculty and industry judges, who provide feedback.
Three Minute Thesis is an international research communication competition that challenges PhD students to explain their research thesis and its significance to a general audience in three minutes, using a single PowerPoint slide as a reference.
Student Organizations
American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics
AIAA is the largest aerospace professional society in the world, and its members help make the world safer, more connected, more accessible, and more prosperous.
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
ASME promotes knowledge of the theory and practice of mechanical engineering, and offers the opportunity to participate in activities that promote a professional awareness of mechanical engineering.
Prototyping Club
PC provides students the tools, knowledge, and support to develop an idea into an invention.
Society of Automotive Engineers
SAE provides members an opportunity to gain insight into the engineering profession by offering hands on engineering experience through student design competitions like the BAJA vehicle challenge, monthly meetings with engineering professionals, and local industry tours.
Doctoral student Abul Borkot Md Rafiqul Hasan (left) and Professor Krishna Pillai, mechanical engineering, have developed a next-generation device that prolongs the effectiveness of air fresheners and insect repellent dispersal devices. The device, which they plan to commercialize, illustrates the science of wicking – how a liquid moves through porous material.
