Andrew P. Murray

Andrew P. Murray is a Professor and Director of Mechanical Engineering Graduate Programs in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of Dayton's School of Engineering. He has been a full-time faculty member since 1997 and leads the Design of Innovative Machines Lab (DIMLab), focusing on machine design and kinematic synthesis theory.

• Ph.D. in Engineering, University of California, Irvine (1996)
• M.S. in Engineering, University of California, Irvine (1993)
• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (1989)

His research spans machine design, kinematics, robotics, and biomechanics, with applications in continuum robots, assistive tricycles for FES-stimulated riders, variable-geometry dies, and strain-energy mechanisms. He employs advanced geometric and computational methods to solve complex motion synthesis and mechanism design problems. His collaborative work includes long-standing partnerships with Dave Myszka and researchers at the Laboratoire d’Informatique, de Robotique et de Microélectronique in Montpellier, France.

The recent trend in his publications (2016–2024) reflects a strong focus on kinematic synthesis of planar and spatial mechanisms, particularly four-bar and six-bar linkages, with increasing emphasis on biologically inspired and medical applications such as FES cycling and continuum robotics. His work combines theoretical rigor with experimental validation, often published in top-tier journals like the ASME Journal of Mechanisms and Robotics and IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters.

His scientific honors include:

• ASME Fellow (2014)
• A.T. Yang Memorial Award in Kinematics (2023)
• University of Dayton Alumni Award for Faculty Teaching (2013)
• Best Paper Award, ASME Mechanisms and Robotics Conference (2006)
• Multiple teaching excellence awards from student organizations

Dr. Murray has advised numerous students and mentored research in the DIMLab. He has secured research grants supporting innovation in mechanical design and has served in key academic roles, including General Program Chair for the ASME International Design Engineering Technical Conferences (2010) and Associate Editor for the ASME Journal of Mechanisms and Robotics since 2009. He teaches graduate and undergraduate courses such as Theory of Machines, Kinematics of Mechanisms and Robots, and Computational Methods for Design.

He directs the Design of Innovative Machines Lab (DIMLab), which fosters interdisciplinary research in mechanism design, combining theoretical development with practical prototyping and application in assistive technology, aerospace, and manufacturing.