Ajay Malshe, a professor of mechanical engineering at Purdue University, has been elected as a 2025 International Director for the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME), a nonprofit organization that represents the North American manufacturing industry, including manufacturers, academia, professionals, students, and the communities in which they operate. Its Board of Directors is elected by voting members and oversees the organization’s business policies and professional activities.
Malshe holds the title of R. Eugene and Susie E. Goodson Distinguished Professor at Purdue and serves as the inaugural director of the university’s Materials and Manufacturing Research Laboratories. With 40 years of experience spanning academia and industry, Malshe has contributed to fields such as nanomanufacturing, bio-inspired design, and functional materials.
Malshe has published over 225 academic papers, holds more than 28 patents, and has played a role in developing more than 20 products implemented in sectors such as energy, defense, aerospace, and transportation. In 2018, he was inducted into the National Academy of Engineering for his innovations in nanomanufacturing.
Jeannine Kunz, SME’s executive director, stated that Malshe’s professional and academic background would support the organization’s mission and the manufacturing industry.
Malshe’s election reinforces SME’s efforts to engage industry and academic leaders in shaping the future of manufacturing.