Celebrating Faculty Excellence: Three Mechanical Engineering Promotions
The Department of Mechanical Engineering at Stony Brook University proudly congratulates Carlos E. Colosqui and David Hwang on their promotions to Full Professor of Mechanical Engineering, and Shanshan Yao on her promotion to Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering. These promotions recognize their outstanding contributions to research, education, innovation, and service.
Carlos E. Colosqui, Full Professor
Professor Carlos Colosqui joined Stony Brook University’s Department of Mechanical Engineering in 2013. He earned his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Boston University in 2009 and previously held research positions at the Benjamin Levich Institute for Physicochemical Hydrodynamics at CUNY and Princeton University.
His research combines theoretical, computational, and experimental approaches to investigate transport phenomena in micro- and nanoscale thermofluid systems. His work encompasses nanofluidics, electrokinetics, nanoparticle transport, energy conversion and storage, and advanced nanomanufacturing. He is also an affiliated faculty member in the Department of Applied Mathematics & Statistics and contributes to workforce development initiatives in advanced nanofabrication.
Professor Colosqui has served as Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Program Director since 2024 and has been recognized with the 2025 CEAS Teachers Rated Excellent Educators by their Students (TREES) Award, among other honors.
“Professor Colosqui is an internationally recognized leader in the physics of fluids at the nanometer scale. His contributions are critical in fields from energy storage to modern manufacturing. He currently leads efforts in our department in experiential learning and serves as our Associate Chair for Undergraduate Affairs where he has enabled our pilot program in co-op experiences. We are fortunate to have him on our faculty,” said P. Scott Carney, Chair of Mechanical Engineering.
David Hwang, Full Professor
Professor David Hwang joined the Stony Brook Mechanical Engineering faculty in 2011. He earned his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley, in 2005, following bachelor's and master's degrees from Seoul National University.
Professor Hwang’s research centers on heat transfer at the micro- and nanoscale and the use of laser-based technologies for materials processing and characterization. His work spans applications in energy, semiconductors, displays, nuclear technology, and biological systems. His expertise includes ultrafast diagnostics, optical near–field coupled with electron microscopes for in–situ monitoring of light–matters interaction, laser-based high heat flux material testing protocol, laser–assisted direct synthesis of semiconductor materials, laser-assisted semiconductor thin film densification, and thin film solar cell manufacturing.
Professor Hwang has served as Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Program Director (2019 - 2024) and has been recognized with the 2023/2024 CEAS Teachers Rated Excellent Educators by their Students (TREES) Award, among other honors.
“Professor Hwang is a global leader in laser material processing and diagnostics of light - matter interactions. He has pioneered techniques in laser-assisted manufacturing and in-situ diagnostics. An outstanding mentor and colleague, the whole department celebrates this well-earned promotion,” said Carney.
Shanshan Yao, Associate Professor
Professor Shanshan Yao joined the Stony Brook Mechanical Engineering faculty in 2020 after earning her Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from North Carolina State University. Her research brings together functional materials, mechanical design, smart structures, and advanced manufacturing to develop innovative bio-integrated systems and soft robotic technologies.
Professor Yao’s research includes soft epidermal and implantable sensors for health monitoring and activity tracking, skin-attachable haptic interfaces, and soft actuators and integrated platforms for bioelectronics and soft robotics. Her work seeks to create new technologies for healthcare, rehabilitation, human-machine interaction, and other emerging applications.
Her accomplishments have been recognized with several prestigious honors, including the NSF CAREER Award, Stony Brook Trustees Faculty Award, Defense University Research Instrumentation Program (DURIP) Award, and National Academy of Inventors Stony Brook University Chapter Young Academic Inventors Award. She also serves in leadership roles within ASME and contributes to journal editorial boards and major international conferences.
“Professor Yao leads our Biointegrated And Soft Intelligent Structures (BASIS) Laboratory and has a record of accomplishment of a much more senior researcher. From lip-reading to haptic feedback, Professor Yao is enriching the space between our humanity and technology, improving lives and making fundamental breakthroughs to do so. We are all thrilled with her promotion,” said Carney.
The Department of Mechanical Engineering extends its congratulations to Professors Colosqui, Hwang, and Yao on these well-deserved promotions and looks forward to their continued contributions to research, education, innovation, and the Stony Brook community.