Ahmad Fakheri

Ahmad Fakheri is Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Bradley University’s Caterpillar College of Engineering & Technology. He has served the university for more than two decades, including as Interim Associate Provost & Dean of the Graduate School (1996-1998) and Director for Research & Sponsored Programs (1992-1996). A triple alumnus of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (B.S., M.S., Ph.D., all in Mechanical Engineering), he is an ASME Fellow recognized for exceptional research and service.

Education

• Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
• M.S., Mechanical Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
• B.S., Mechanical Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Research Interests

Dr. Fakheri’s scholarship lies at the intersection of heat transfer, fluid mechanics and thermodynamics, with concentrated effort on heat-exchanger design and optimization. His work employs second-law analysis, entropy-generation minimization and advanced numerical techniques to enhance thermal efficiency and guide sustainable energy-system development.

Scientific Awards & Honors

• Fellow, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
• Outstanding Research Award, Bradley College of Engineering
• Outstanding Service Award, ASME Process Industries Division
• NASA Summer Faculty Fellow, NASA Lewis Research Center
• Caterpillar Fellows Program Research Award

Leadership & Service

Within ASME he has chaired the Process Industries Division (6,000+ members) and the Manufacturing Technical Group (10,000+ members), served on the Board on Research and Technology Development, and acted as Technical Program Chair for the 2012 ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress. On campus he has been a member of the University Senate and has led curriculum-reform initiatives.

Laboratory & Teaching

Dr. Fakheri teaches undergraduate and graduate courses such as Heat Transfer, Advanced Heat Transfer, Advanced Fluid Dynamics and Advanced Computer-Aided Design, integrating computational tools and real-world design projects that connect classroom theory to industrial practice.