Richard Malak

Richard Malak is Professor and Associate Department Head for Graduate Programs in Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M University. His research develops computational methods for engineering systems design, including optimization, machine learning, and decision-making frameworks with applications to materials design, smart structures, and complex engineered systems.

Education: PhD in Mechanical Engineering (Georgia Tech, 2008), MS in Mechanical Engineering (Georgia Tech, 2005), MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering (Carnegie Mellon, 2000), B.E. in Electrical and Computer Engineering (Stony Brook, 1998).

Research focuses on computational design methodologies integrating optimization, machine learning, and control theory. Key contributions include: (1) Co-design frameworks integrating control and physical system design; (2) Computational materials design for additive manufacturing; (3) Resilient system-of-systems engineering; and (4) Parametric optimization algorithms for resource-intensive problems.

Awards include multiple best paper awards from ASME conferences, teaching excellence awards, and prestigious fellowships including TEES Young Faculty Fellow and Morris E. Foster Faculty Fellow.

Directs the Design Systems Laboratory which develops novel computational approaches for complex engineering challenges through interdisciplinary collaborations.