Distinguished Series 2026-2027 Kickoff

with Michael Bartlett, Associate Professor and John R. Jones III Faculty Fellow
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech

August 28, 2026, 2:30 pm
Goodwin Hall 190

This goal of this seminar is to introduce the ME Distinguished Seminar Series to the ME 5944 Graduate Seminar students. This includes highlighting exciting changes, course information, and overall goals of the seminar.  This semester the series features three new tracks designed to expand your experience: Academic seminars highlight cutting-edge research from leading professors across the country, Leaders and Innovators sessions bring insights from industry professionals and VT alumni on entrepreneurship, leadership, and career pathways, and Professional Development events provide guidance from the ME department on degree progress, ethics, and communication skills. Each seminar will be clearly labeled by track. These changes directly reflect student feedback and departmental priorities, and we are looking forward to elevating the seminar series to the next level. Our goal is to make this series a can’t-miss event where students and faculty come together to learn and connect, while showcasing our department to distinguished guests. Please attend, participate fully, and enjoy the refreshments provided.

Michael Bartlett is the instructor for ME 5944 and the chair of the Mechanical Engineering Distinguished Seminar Series. He is an Associate Professor and John R. Jones III Faculty Fellow of Mechanical Engineering at Virginia Tech. His research focuses on soft multifunctional materials for deformable electronics and soft robotics, adaptive materials, and switchable and intelligent adhesives.  He received his BSE in Materials Science and Engineering from Michigan in 2008 and Ph.D. in Polymer Science and Engineering from UMass Amherst in 2013.  After obtaining his Ph.D. he worked as a Senior Research Engineer in the Corporate Research Laboratory at 3M, as a Postdoctoral Fellow at Carnegie Mellon University, and was an Assistant Professor at Iowa State University before joining Virginia Tech in 2020. His research has resulted in publications, patents, media coverage, and awards including an NSF CAREER award, a DARPA Young Faculty Award (YFA) and Director’s Fellowship, a ONR Young Investigator (YIP) Award, a Senior Member of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI), the Early Career Scientist Award from the Adhesion Society, a 3M Non-Tenured Faculty Award, and an Outstanding Faculty Award (student nominated) among others.