University of Iowa engineering professors, who have gained acclaim in their fields for research contributions, are now being recognized as "rising stars" by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). 

Caterina Lamuta, an associate professor of mechanical engineering, and Xuan Song, an associate professor of industrial and systems engineering, each received the ASME Rising Star of Mechanical Engineering award during the 2024 International Mechanical Engineering Congress & Exposition on November 19 in Portland, Oregon. 

The award recognizes "innovative work and dedication that significantly advances the engineering profession and inspires the next generation of engineers." "Rising star" honorees have previously received federal support through prestigious research programs. 

The award event provided an opportunity for researchers to present their ideas and make connections with program managers at funding agencies, academic peers, and leaders in industry. 

Iowa professors Lamuta and Song have each amassed numerous early career faculty accolades and funding awards, a testament to the trajectory of their research careers. 

Lamuta, a research engineer at IIHR–Hyrdoscience and Engineering, has received the Office of Naval Research Young Investigator Program Award, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Young Faculty Award, and the DARPA Director's Fellowship for research advancing a octopus-inspired robot that can perform underwater monitoring, rescue, and assembly operations. 

Song, a faculty affiliate at the Iowa Technology Institute, has received a National Science Foundation CAREER Award, the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) Young Investigator Award, and SME Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineer Award for research advancing ceramic manufacturing methods. 

To learn more, visit Professor Lamuta's SMMS (Smart Multifunctional Material Systems) Lab website and Professor Song's Additive Manufacturing-Integrated Product Realization Laboratory.