Gizem Acar

Gizem Acar is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Stevens Institute of Technology, affiliated with the Charles V. Schaefer, Jr. School of Engineering and Science. She earned her B.S. and M.S. from Bogazici University (2010-2012) and a Ph.D. from Michigan State University (2017), followed by postdoctoral work at the University of Maryland (2017-2020). Her research focuses on nonlinear dynamics and vibrations in systems like metamaterials, wind turbines, granular media, and fluid-structure interactions, with applications in energy forecasting and robotic locomotion.

Education:

• PhD (2017), Mechanical Engineering, Michigan State University
• MS (2012), Mechanical Engineering, Bogazici University
• BS (2010), Mechanical Engineering, Bogazici University

Research Interests: Her work explores programmable metastructures, vortex-induced vibrations in beams, noise-driven dynamics in oscillator arrays, and machine learning for energy output predictions. She investigates wave propagation in solids, granular media dynamics, and multi-stable systems influenced by noise.

Publications: Recent work includes studies on cylindrical beams under combined excitations, AI-based renewable energy modeling, and noise-induced transitions in coupled oscillators. Her research bridges theoretical analysis (e.g., Floquet theory) with experimental methods (e.g., discrete element modeling).

Awards:

• Early Career Mentor Award (2025), Stevens Institute of Technology
• Consistent recognition for excellence in teaching (2021-2024)

Service & Grants: Co-PI on a U.S. Army contract about energy supply chain resilience. She chairs institutional committees on vibrations and dynamics education and serves on NSF review panels. Active in organizing ASME conferences and reviewing for journals like Nonlinear Dynamics and Journal of Sound and Vibration.

Labs & Teams: Leads the Nonlinear Dynamics and Vibrations Research team at Carnegie Lab 213, focusing on experimental and computational studies of complex mechanical systems.