The Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering recently announced the appointment of Dr. Brian D. Jensen and Dr. Michael Miles as chairs of the Departments of Mechanical Engineering and Manufacturing Engineering, respectively. Their terms began July 1, 2025.
Jensen replaces Dr. Dale A. Tree, who has served as chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering since 2019. Miles replaces Dr. Tracy Nelson, who led the Department of Manufacturing Engineering also since 2019.
Department chairs are selected by the dean and associate deans after interviewing faculty members to gather recommendations for potential candidates.
Dr. Jensen joined the BYU faculty in 2005 after earning B.S. and M.S. degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Brigham Young University, followed by an M.S. in Electrical Engineering and a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan. He previously worked at Sandia National Laboratories as a micromechanism designer. Dr. Jensen’s research explores the design of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and compliant mechanisms. He has authored more than 100 publications and holds 12 U.S. patents. His contributions have been honored with multiple best paper awards, the BYU Young Scholar Award, and the Utah Engineers Council Educator of the Year Award.
Dr. Michael Miles has been on the BYU faculty since 2001. He earned his B.S. in Metallurgical Engineering from the University of Idaho, his M.S. in Metallurgical Engineering from The Ohio State University, and his Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from Ecole des Mines de Paris. Before joining BYU, Dr. Miles held engineering leadership roles at American National Can, Pechiney, and Rexam. His teaching covers welding, casting, metal forming, lean manufacturing, and manufacturing systems. His research focuses on solid-state joining processes, simulation of forming techniques, and microstructure–formability relationships in metal alloys. Dr. Miles has been supported by $2.8 million in external funding from organizations such as the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy, NASA, DARPA, and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers.
With their extensive research and academic leadership experience, Dr. Jensen and Dr. Miles bring a dynamic vision to their departments and continue the tradition of excellence within the college.