Özyeğin University Mechanical Engineering Department Lecturer and ECEM Director Prof. Dr. M. Pınar Mengüç received the “Outstanding Mechanical Engineer Award” given to him by Purdue University in 2020 at a ceremony held in the United States on September 10, 2021. The Outstanding Mechanical Engineer Award, given annually by Purdue University’s School of Mechanical Engineering to graduates for outstanding achievements in industry, academia, government services, and other mechanical engineering-related fields, is considered one of the university’s most prestigious awards.

Delivering a speech titled “From Heat Transfer to Social Impact” at the award ceremony, Prof. Dr. Mengüç made a presentation on how heat transfer affects society, especially on radiative heat transfer research. prof. Dr. In his presentation, Mengüç also touched upon the subject that the studies have developed over time, affecting interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research and the society in general. He briefly talked about the radiation transfer and particle characterization studies he carried out in the USA, and gave information about the nano-sized near-field radiation heat transfer studies that started in the USA and continued in Turkey. He also explained the main lines of research and practices related to energy efficiency in buildings and cities, with integrated engineering and architectural studies carried out in Istanbul.

Having completed his undergraduate and graduate education in the Mechanical Engineering departments of Middle East Technical University, Prof. Mengüç received his doctorate from Purdue University in 1985. He joined Özyeğin University in 2008 to establish the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Mengüç has been working as the director of the Center for Energy, Environment and Economy (ECEM) since 2009.