Research isn’t just something our industrial & manufacturing engineering faculty do—as an R1 research university, it’s a core part of what makes your education at UWM more valuable, more relevant, and more impactful.
For prospective students, it means you’re choosing a program that is constantly evolving, deeply connected to industry, and focused on solving real problems.
Choosing a research-active program means you’re joining a community focused on innovation and impact. At UWM, industrial and manufacturing engineering research is driving solutions for industry, sustainability, and society—and as a student, you’re part of that progress.
Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering Research Areas
Our industrial & manufacturing engineering faculty are engaged in cutting-edge research in areas such as:
Automation of manufacturing systems
Data analytics
Lean manufacturing
Logistics
Material handling and distribution
Optimization
Six Sigma
Systems design modeling
Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering Research Centers & Labs
The Advanced Manufacturing & Design Lab, led by Ilya Avdeev, conducts research leading to better design of complex multi-physics systems ranging from CT scanners to EV batteries.
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.
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
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
Funding Partners
UWM is one of only two R1 research universities in Wisconsin, and the only one in Southeast Wisconsin. We’re also a top externally funded institution with robust opportunities for teaching and research assistantships. Partners that support our research include:
National Institute for Health (NIH)
National Science Foundation (NSF)
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
Regional and national businesses
United States Air Force
Undergraduate Research
As an R1 university, research is a significant focus of what we do. Undergraduate and graduate students are encouraged to get involved in research. Undergraduate students can reach out to the UWM Office of Undergraduate Research regarding research opportunities, or contact individual faculty directly.
Poster Competition & Three Minute Thesis
Graduate and undergraduate students have the opportunity to participate in the annual Poster Competition & Three Minute Thesis, a signature event for our college. Students gain valuable experience working with faculty researchers and are invited to share their work with judges from industry, who provide feedback.
Junjie Niu, professor, industrial & manufacturing engineering, talks to a reporter about how to incorporate powdered elements into coin-sized rechargeable batteries.
