Faculty

Professor, Associate Chair of Graduate Affairs

Professor Shikui Chen is a Professor and Associate Department Chair for Graduate Affairs in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Stony Brook University, where he leads the Computational modeling, Analysis, and Design Optimization (CMADO) Laboratory.

His research integrates computational mechanics, topology optimization, computational geometry, multiphysics modeling, and artificial intelligence to discover high-performance engineering designs. His group develops new theories, algorithms, and computational tools for jointly optimizing geometry, materials, and physical behavior. Current research includes nonlinear and multi-material topology optimization, geometry-informed neural operators, differentiable physics-based learning, and quantum-assisted engineering design.

The CMADO Laboratory applies these methods to challenging problems in electric machines, power electronics, soft robotics, advanced materials, and biomedical devices. Students participate in the full research process, from mathematical formulation and algorithm development to numerical implementation and engineering validation. They also benefit from interdisciplinary collaborations with universities, national laboratories, and industry.

In 2026, Professor Chen was selected to lead a U.S. Department of Energy Genesis Mission project on geometry-informed AI for the multiphysics co-design of wide-bandgap power modules, in collaboration with Sandia National Laboratories and GE Vernova. His broader research has received support from the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Department of Energy, GE Vernova, Ford, and Toyota.

Professor Chen received the ASME Compliant Mechanisms Award in 2007 and 2025 and was named the 2025 Journal of Mechanical Design Associate Editor of the Year. He welcomes inquiries from prospective PhD students with backgrounds in mechanical engineering, applied mathematics, computer science, electrical engineering, or related fields who are interested in advancing computational engineering and design.

Research Interests: Shape & topology optimization, geometric modeling with level set methods, multiphysics modeling, PDE-constrained optimization, soft robotics, additive manufacturing

E-mail: shikui.chen{at}stonybrook.edu

Tel: (631) 632- 2309