Mary Kasarda honored with emerita status
Mary Kasarda, associate professor of mechanical engineering in the College of Engineering at Virginia Tech, has been conferred the title of associate professor emerita by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors.
The emerita title may be conferred on retired faculty members who are specially recommended to the board by Virginia Tech President Tim Sands in recognition of exemplary service to the university. Nominated individuals who are approved by the board receive a copy of the resolution and a certificate of appreciation.
A member of the Virginia Tech community for more than 27 years, Kasarda made significant research contributions in the fields of rotor dynamics, active magnetic bearings, vibration control, high-speed turbomachinery, smart buildings, structural health monitoring, and engineering education. Kasarda published 23 refereed journal articles and 68 peer-reviewed conference proceedings. Kasarda served as a member, chair, co-chair, and officer of numerous committees, boards, panels, and conference sessions. In addition, she served as associate department head for graduate studies for the Department of Mechanical Engineering and as the faculty director of scholarship for the Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science.
Kasarda directed a leading research group in the areas of vibrations and controls resulting in 27 externally funded research projects and over $2 million in total external research funding, including a National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER) award. In the classroom, she taught a wide variety of courses in dynamic systems, vibrations, automatic controls, engineering design and economics, senior mechanical engineering laboratory, rotating machinery, and leadership in the design process.
Throughout her career, Kasarda served as a mentor and advisor for numerous undergraduate and graduate students and postdoctoral research associates and helped them develop successful careers in engineering and academia.
Kasarda received her bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, and Ph.D. from the University of Virginia.
Written by Anja Hemesath, a senior and a student writer for Virginia Tech Marketing and Communications