Janet Ellzey

Dr. Janet Ellzey is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin, holding the Engineering Foundation Centennial Teaching Fellowship. She previously served as Vice Provost of International Programs (2009–2017) and Assistant Dean for International Engineering Education at the Cockrell School of Engineering. Her roles include pioneering the Certificate in Humanitarian Engineering and leading Projects with Underserved Communities, a program that partners students with global communities to build infrastructure projects. She also co-developed the Humanitarian Product Development initiative with the International Federation of Red Cross. In 2022–23, she co-won the President's Award for Global Learning with Dr. Julie Zuniga.

Education:

• Bachelor's and Master's in Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin
• Doctorate in Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley

Her research spans combustion science and humanitarian engineering, with over 30 years of combustion studies and development of technologies for marginalized communities. Recent projects include establishing an Innovation Lab with the Uganda Red Cross and Makerere University to design solutions for refugee camps. Awards include Combustion Institute Fellowship (2018), Jefferson Science Fellowship (2020–21), and recognition as a Distinguished Alumna (2011).

Her publications focus on combustion mechanisms, reactor design, and humanitarian engineering pedagogy, reflecting her dual expertise in technical innovation and global community impact. She has advised numerous interdisciplinary initiatives and collaborates with international organizations to address global challenges through engineering solutions.