Three distinguished professors from the College of Engineering, Ilya Kolmanovsky, Chris Ruf, and Karen A. Thole, have been inducted into the National Academy of Engineering, a prestigious recognition in the U.S. engineering field. This honor acknowledges their significant contributions to advancing technology and engineering.
“The National Academy of Engineering plays a vital role in our nation by bringing together the critical sectors of industry, higher education and government to help the U.S. chart its path in technology and engineering,” said Thole, the Robert J. Vlasic Dean of Engineering.
“The work of these faculty members — whom I’m honored to be among — has improved energy efficiency, advanced automotive and aircraft systems, and given us a new way to study our planet.”
Ilya Kolmanovsky, the Pierre T. Kabamba Collegiate Professor of Aerospace Engineering, was recognized for enhancing nonlinear and optimal control systems theory, applied in automotive and aerospace engineering.
Kolmanovsky has bridged theoretical work and practical applications by developing control algorithms for real-time vehicle maneuvers, even under uncertain conditions. His innovations are pivotal for vehicle control and autonomy, focusing on safety-critical decision-making and real-time optimization.
His recent projects include enhancing autonomous spacecraft operations and reducing commercial vehicle emissions. Kolmanovsky is working on systems for navigating between Earth and the moon, as well as improving vehicle safety and efficiency.
“I feel deeply honored with this most significant distinction, and see this honor as shared with the many students, collaborators and colleagues with whom I’ve had the privilege to collaborate over the years,” Kolmanovsky said. “I look forward to contributing to NAE’s leadership on some of the most important technological and engineering challenges facing our world.”
Chris Ruf, the Frederick Bartman Collegiate Professor of Climate and Space Science, was celebrated for developing remote sensing technology using small satellite constellations.
Ruf introduced a cost-effective satellite study method, GNSS-R, which analyzes reflected signals from GPS systems. As the principal investigator for NASA’s CYGNSS mission, launched in 2016, Ruf’s work revolutionized Earth remote sensing, replacing expensive satellites with small constellations for continuous coverage.
CYGNSS has become a model for future missions globally, with a replica set to feature in the National Air and Space Museum this July. The mission has prompted the development of numerous data products, broadening the scope of satellite technology.
“Election to the NAE is a great honor and wonderful recognition of the impactful work I have been lucky enough to be a part of,” Ruf said. “There has never been a more important time to monitor and understand the Earth environment, and I am grateful to be able to play a part in doing so more efficiently and effectively.”
Karen A. Thole, the Robert J. Vlasic Dean of Engineering, was honored for her groundbreaking work in gas turbine cooling technologies.
Thole’s research in heat transfer and cooling of turbine blades has resulted in patented innovations that enhance energy efficiency in aircraft and power generation systems. Her efforts have significantly influenced turbine design through collaborations with industry and federal agencies.
She founded the START Lab and worked on developing the National Experimental Turbine, an advanced testbed for turbine designs, using metal additive manufacturing for rapid evaluation.
As the first female dean of the College of Engineering, Thole remarked, “This distinction is a reflection of the many contributions from my students, faculty colleagues, and supporters throughout my career. I am honored to be in the 2026 class with my other colleagues at U-M and elsewhere, and excited to serve not only our students and fields of scientific discovery, but also society at large, and our nation.”
These new members increase U-M’s total National Academy of Engineering membership to 35 active and emeritus faculty. The NAE, established in 1964, is a private, nonprofit institution that provides engineering leadership and promotes the advancement of engineering and technology.
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