Georgia Tech has announced that Professor Shreyes Melkote will serve as the interim chair of the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, starting May 15, 2025. Melkote, who currently holds the title of Morris M. Bryan, Jr. Professor for Advanced Manufacturing Systems, steps into the role as Devesh Ranjan prepares to leave the Institute to become the next dean of engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Raheem Beyah, dean of the College of Engineering, expressed gratitude for Melkote’s acceptance of the temporary leadership position. “Shreyes’ track record and his commitment to Georgia Tech make him an excellent choice to lead the school during this transition,” Beyah said, highlighting Melkote’s reputation as a respected campus leader and researcher.
Melkote joined the Woodruff School faculty in 1995, and his research spans subtractive and hybrid manufacturing, industrial robotics, and the use of AI and machine learning in manufacturing process planning. In 2024, he received Georgia Tech’s Outstanding Achievement in Research Engagement and Outreach Award, presented by the Office of the Executive Vice President for Research.
Alongside his academic duties, Melkote is the associate director of the Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute (GTMI), where he contributes to solving critical challenges in global manufacturing. He also serves as executive director of the Novelis Innovation Hub, which focuses on advanced materials and processes.
In response to his appointment, Melkote shared, “It’s a privilege to step into this role and support the Woodruff School and Georgia Tech, both of which have been instrumental in my career over the last three decades. I look forward to collaborating with colleagues and students during this transitional period.”
A prolific researcher, Melkote has authored close to 300 peer-reviewed papers and has received multiple honors, including the ASME Milton C. Shaw Manufacturing Research Medal, SME Gold Medal, and the Dell K. Allen Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineer Award. He is also a Fellow of ASME, SME, and CIRP, acknowledging his contributions to the field of production engineering.
