Yue Zheng, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and
Mechanics, has been appointed the Pei Chi Chou Term Assistant Professor,
effective June 1, 2025. This prestigious five-year appointment recognizes
Zheng’s outstanding early-career achievements in research and scholarship.
Zheng, who joined Drexel in 2023, leads the Zheng Research Lab, where her
work explores the mechanics of soft materials and mechanical metamaterials
with applications in soft robotics, biomedical systems, and smart
structures. Her approach bridges theory and experiment, and her work has
been recognized with several national honors, including a Haythornthwaite
Foundation Research Initiation Grant and selection as a 2022 Rising Star in
Mechanical Engineering.
The Pei Chi Chou Professorship supports emerging faculty talent and honors
the legacy of the late Pei Chi Chou, PhD, who taught mechanical engineering
at Drexel from 1953 to 1995. Chou was instrumental in launching the
University’s doctoral programs and remained a dedicated mentor to
generations of students. The professorship, established by Chou and his wife
Rosalind, continues to serve as a platform for advancing the careers of
promising young researchers.
Zheng’s appointment reflects the nomination and support of her department
head, Jonathan Spanier, PhD, as well as the approval of the Dean’s Office
and endorsement by the College of Engineering’s Endowed Chair Faculty
Committee. The Provost’s Office formally approved the appointment earlier
this month.
“This support will help us pursue new directions in soft materials and
programmable structures,” Zheng said. “I’m honored to be named to a
position that carries Professor Chou’s legacy of innovation and mentorship.”