SME names five new Fellows to honor manufacturing contributions

This year’s class includes Jian Cao, PhD, Northwestern University; Narendra B. Dahotre, PhD, University of North Texas; Herbert Dobbs, PhD, Torvec Board of Directors; I.S. Jawahir, PhD, University of Kentucky; and Günter Warnecke, Dr.-Ing., Technische Universität Kaiserslautern.

August 27, 2010

Five manufacturing professionals have been elected to the Society of Manufacturing Engineers’ prestigious College of Fellows.

Over their extended careers, each of these individuals contributed to the field of manufacturing in ways that extend beyond their own circle of work. This year’s class includes Jian Cao, PhD, Northwestern University; Narendra B. Dahotre, PhD, University of North Texas; Herbert Dobbs, PhD, Torvec Board of Directors; I.S. Jawahir, PhD, University of Kentucky; and Günter Warnecke, Dr.-Ing., Technische Universität Kaiserslautern.

“Being named an SME Fellow is limited to a very few exceptional members,” said Marvin DeVries, PhD, FSME, CMfgE, PE, chair of the SME International Awards & Recognition Committee. “These individuals must stand apart from their peers and have demonstrated substantial impact on the manufacturing profession throughout their careers."

The SME College of Fellows was created to honor those members who have made outstanding contributions to the social, technological and educational aspects of the manufacturing profession. This honor can only be earned through 20 or more years of dedication and service to manufacturing engineering.

The 2010 Class joins 263 other SME members who have been elected as Fellows since the program’s inception in 1986, and represents various segments of the manufacturing community.

“We are very pleased to recognize and honor each of the Fellows of the 2010 Class,” said 2010 SME President Barbara Fossum, PhD, FSME. “They withstood a rigorous selection process, with a thorough review of their accomplishments. They should be very proud of their contributions to the manufacturing profession.”

The 2010 Class of SME Fellows

Jian Cao, PhD, FSME
Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering
Chair, ME Graduate Studies
Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

An accomplished researcher and educator, Jian Cao’s work has focused on such fields as material characterization of metals and machine/process design. Currently, her research focuses on microforming, dieless forming and laser processing, which have had a direct impact on energy-efficient manufacturing. Cao’s work has been funded by both industry and government agencies.

Narendra B. Dahotre, PhD, FSME
Chairman and Professor, Materials Science & Engineering
University of North Texas
Denton, TX

A nationally renowned academician, Narendra Dahotre has been described as a strong advocate of industrial training and has created dozens of industrial internships or hands-on opportunities for his students. Dahotre has also overseen the work of more than a dozen master’s students, ten doctoral students and four postdoctoral fellows. A dedicated mentor for the next generation, he has reached out to both undergraduate and high school students to work part-time in his laboratory.

Herbert Dobbs, PhD, FSME, PE
Colonel, USA (Retired)
Director-Secretary
Torvec Board of Directors
Rochester, NY

Herbert Dobbs is the former chairman and a current board member of Torvec Inc., a developer of patented technology used primarily in automotive systems. He began his career in industry, first in manufacturing and then in aircraft and missile design. In the late 1950s, Dobbs began his 28-year career as a United States Army officer. He served in Italy, Vietnam and Taiwan, and had assignments as an engineer, research scientist, project manager and laboratory director.

I.S. Jawahir, PhD, FSME
James F. Hardymon Chair in Manufacturing Systems
Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY

I.S. Jawahir is an internationally recognized researcher and educator. His work has significantly advanced the knowledge and application of machining principles through modeling and optimization of metal machining processes. Jawahir is currently very active in researching sustainable manufacturing. He has published more than 200 refereed papers and presented more than 120 invited technical presentations in 25 countries and holds four U.S. patents.

Günter Warnecke, Dr.-Ing., FSME
Professor Emeritus
Technische Universität Kaiserslautern
Kaiserslautern, Germany

Now retired, Günter Warnecke has devoted his career to both manufacturing and academia. After his study of mechanical and manufacturing engineering at the Technische Hochschule Hannover, Warnecke worked for German radio and television manufacturer Telefunken Hannover. After returning to the university and finishing his doctorate, Warnecke joined General Electric Super Materials Department where he served as manager of European Technical Services.