Michael E. Cholette

Michael E. Cholette is an Associate Professor in the School of Mechanical, Medical & Process Engineering at Queensland University of Technology's Faculty of Engineering. With expertise spanning multiple engineering disciplines related to dynamic systems, reliability, and applied optimization, his work focuses on practical applications across various industries and infrastructure systems.

Dr. Cholette earned his B.S. from the University of Michigan in 2007 and completed his Ph.D. at the University of Texas at Austin in 2012, where his research centered on fault detection and diagnosis for complex systems with applications in automotive systems and semiconductor manufacturing. Following his doctoral studies, he worked as a postdoctoral research fellow with the CRC for Infrastructure and Engineering Asset Management in Brisbane, Australia, focusing on reliability modeling and asset management before joining QUT as a Lecturer in 2013. He was promoted to Associate Professor in 2021.

His primary research interests include asset management, reliability modeling, Condition-Based Maintenance (CBM), and maintenance optimization. Additional research areas encompass condition monitoring, control systems, autonomous vehicles, and building optimization. Dr. Cholette has successfully secured research funding from various industrial and government bodies including Queensland Rail, Wilmar Sugar, the Australian Research Council, the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, and the US Department of Energy.

His recent publications reveal a strong focus on renewable energy systems, particularly concentrated solar power plants, with significant contributions to solar field design, heliostat soiling management, and thermal storage optimization. His transportation-related research shows expertise in railway infrastructure maintenance, track geometry monitoring, and predictive maintenance approaches. The interdisciplinary nature of his work bridges mechanical engineering, control theory, and operations research to solve practical engineering challenges.

• Fellow of the International Society of Engineering Asset Management
• Co-chair of the Scientific Committee for the 2017 World Congress on Engineering Asset Management
• Member of Engineers Australia

Dr. Cholette has supervised numerous doctoral students whose research spans solar energy systems, autonomous vehicle control, building energy optimization, and maintenance planning. His teaching includes courses in Engineering Asset Management and Maintenance, Vibration & Control, and Advanced Dynamics. He actively participates in multiple academic and professional societies and maintains strong industry connections that inform both his research and teaching practices.