About Drs. Mun Choi and Kazem Kazerounian: Brief Bios

Dr. Mun Choi joined UConn as Dean of Engineering and Professor of Mechanical Engineering in 2008, and Dr. Kazerounian joined the Mechanical Engineering Department in 1984 after completing his Ph.D. degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Illinois, Chicago in 1984.

Mun Y. Choi, Ph.D.

Dr. Mun Choi joined the University of Connecticut as Dean of Engineering and Professor of Mechanical Engineering in 2008. He served previously as Department Head of Mechanical Engineering and Associate Dean for Research at Drexel University.  Dr. Choi received his Ph.D. in Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering from Princeton University in 1992. 

Dr. Choi’s current research effort is focused on advancing the understanding of sooting and radiation on droplet combustion and soot diagnostic techniques. These studies have improved the ability to accurately interpret non-intrusive diagnostic data and the calculation of radiative heat transfer from flames and fires. His NASA project on fire safety was performed aboard the International Space Station in 2009 and again in 2011.

During his academic career, Dr. Choi developed numerous outreach and educational programs including a National Science Foundation IGERT, Department of Education GAANN (Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need) Fellowships, and National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Teachers programs.  He has also received awards for teaching and research including the SAE Teetor Award and the University of Illinois Foundation Scholar Award.  In 2007, he was elected President of the International Pi Tau Sigma Mechanical Engineering Honor Society. He is an elected member of the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering, and in 2011 he was appointed by Governor Dannel P. Malloy to serve on the Board of Directors of the reconstituted Clean Energy Finance and Investment Authority (CEFIA).

Kazem Kazerounian, Ph.D.

Dr. Kazem Kazerounian joined the Mechanical Engineering Department in 1984 after completing his Ph.D. degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Illinois, Chicago in 1984.  He was appointed Associate Dean for Research & Strategic Initiatives in 2009.

During his 27 years at UConn, Dr. Kazerounian has served as an elected representative on the University Senate (2008-2011) and on numerous University-level committees, including the Provost’s Research Equipment Competition Committee, Research Advisory Council, Faculty Review Board, and Review Panel for Intercampus Research Grants.  He previously served as Associate Dean for Research & Outreach from 1998-2001.  Nationally, he is the current Chair of ASME Design Division Executive Committee, has served on the editorial boards of the ASME Applied Mechanics Review and ASME Journal of Medical Devices, and has been Associate Editor of both the ASME Journal of Mechanical Design and the Journal of Mechanisms and Machine Theory.

He is a Fellow of ASME and the recipient of the ASME Design Division Mechanisms and Robotics Award (a lifetime achievement award – 2006), the George Wood Award (1997), and the ABB Outstanding Faculty Award (1997).  He is a member of the Connecticut Academy of Science & Engineering.  In the research arena, Dr. Kazerounian’s expertise lies in analytical and computational kinematics and dynamics applied in diverse application fields, such as protein-based nano mechanical devices, optimization of mechanisms and gear systems, robotics, and human motion analysis.