As an R1 research university research is 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 conducts research leading to better design of complex multi-physics systems ranging from CT scanners to EV batteries.
The Connected Systems Institute (CSI) 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) is a U.S. Department of Energy supported program dedicated to helping small and medium-sized manufacturers and wastewater treatment plants minimize their energy costs through efficient use of resources
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
A benefit of attending a top tier R1 research university is the opportunity to work with faculty engaged in cutting-edge research. This could include participating in the Support for Undergraduate Research Fellows (SURF)program. The SURF program helps you to improve your professional preparation through research by working closely with our faculty to explore, discover, and transform ideas into reality.
SURF students also receive funding for their efforts: from 2012-2023 almost $1.5M was awarded to over 700 students from our college.
Junjie Niu, professor, industrial & manufacturing engineering, talks to a reporter about how to incorporate powdered elements into coin-sized rechargeable batteries.
