Jeff Warfford

Jeff Warfford is a Collegiate Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Virginia Tech. He holds a Ph.D., M.S., and B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from North Carolina State University. His research focuses on tire mechanics, vehicle dynamics, and finite element analysis, bridging academia and industry. Warfford previously spent nearly 30 years at Michelin and Volvo, leading R&D in tire design and vehicle systems. He is an ASME Fellow (2025) and recipient of Michelin’s Instructor Excellence Award (2016, 2018). His teaching emphasizes hands-on learning and industry-relevant skills.

Education:

• Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, NC State University, 1992
• M.S., Mechanical Engineering, NC State University, 1987
• B.S., Mechanical Engineering, NC State University, 1985

Research spans tire modeling for vehicle simulations, material science applications, and automotive engineering. He developed digital twins for tire designs and taught advanced courses on tire mechanics. His industry experience includes Michelin’s R&D and Volvo’s steering system design.

Awards include ASME Fellow status and Michelin’s recognition for teaching excellence. He mentors students through the ASME chapter and serves as an associate editor for the International Journal of Commercial Vehicles.