Dennis Mell

Dennis Mell is a **Professor** in the Department of Electrical & Systems Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis, affiliated with the McKelvey School of Engineering. He joined as an adjunct professor in 2010 and transitioned to a full-time **Professor of Practice** role in 2012. He serves as Director of the Undergraduate Engineering Discovery Competition, fostering entrepreneurship in early-career engineers.

**Education**:

• MS, University of Missouri-Rolla, 1989
• BS, University of Missouri-Rolla, 1988

**Research Focus**: Mell’s work centers on **robotics, automation systems, and advanced sensing technologies**, with emphasis on cross-disciplinary applications in manufacturing and entrepreneurship. His expertise includes design for manufacturability (DFM), robotic bin picking, and mechatronics. He advocates for integrated design practices (e.g., DFA, DFT) to bridge engineering and production.

**Notable Projects**: His team contributed to emergency ventilator development during the 2020 pandemic, showcasing collaboration between engineers, doctors, and machinists.

**Professional Background**: Before academia, Mell spent 25+ years as a serial entrepreneur, founding and leading automation-focused companies. His ventures emphasized custom robotic automation for industries like automotive and medical.