F. Frank Chen

F. Frank Chen is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) and holds the Lutcher Brown Distinguished Chair in Advanced Manufacturing. He is a Fellow of both the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) and the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE).

• Ph.D. & MS, University of Missouri-Columbia
• BS, Tunghai University (Taiwan)

Dr. Chen specializes in flexible manufacturing, lean systems, and AI integration. His research spans predictive maintenance, computer vision for defect detection, cybersecurity in industrial IoT, and sustainable production. He actively combines AI (deep learning, NLP) with lean methodologies to optimize manufacturing and healthcare workflows.

Recent publications focus on AI-enabled sustainability (waste reduction, parking efficiency), advanced diagnostics (cancer detection via CNNs, transformers), and cybersecurity enhancements. His work bridges theoretical innovation with practical applications in smart manufacturing and lean healthcare.

• Fellow, IISE (2019)
• Operational Excellence Division Teaching Award, IISE (2015)
• SME College of Fellows (2011)

Dr. Chen leads the Flexible Manufacturing and Lean Systems Lab, contributing to AI-aided lean manufacturing, intrusion detection systems, and voice-of-customer extraction. His interdisciplinary approach impacts both industrial processes and healthcare diagnostics, emphasizing efficiency, sustainability, and technological integration.