Michael Kokkolaras

Michael Kokkolaras is a Professor and Associate Dean (Faculty Affairs) in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at McGill University, where he leads the Systems Optimization Lab (SOL) and teaches undergraduate and graduate mechanical engineering courses including MECH 210 (Mechanics 1), MECH 292 (Conceptual Design), MECH 463 (Capstone Design Project), and MECH 501 (Analysis, Synthesis and Optimization of Engineering Systems).

His educational background includes:

• Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Rice University
• Diplom in Aerospace Engineering from Technische Universität München

Professor Kokkolaras' research centers on Design and Manufacturing with emphasis on multidisciplinary design optimization of complex engineering systems. His work develops mathematical programming methodologies to address system integration, optimality, uncertainty quantification, and design validation through decomposition-based approaches. The Systems Optimization Lab focuses on efficient solutions for large-scale problems, employing tailored uncertainty propagation techniques and statistical validation methods, with primary applications in automotive, aerospace, and energy systems.

His teaching and research integrate theoretical optimization frameworks with practical engineering design challenges, particularly in transportation and energy domains, reflecting the interconnected nature of modern engineering systems.