More than a century ago Milwaukee began to establish a reputation as a world leader in manufacturing. Much of that work has involved the use of metals that form the backbone of many of the products we use today.

At UW-Milwaukee, a team of scientists have been working on ways to create new, stronger and lighter metal composites that give products a competitive advantage over others.

Pradeep Rohatgi, the UWM Distinguished Professor of Materials Engineering and the chief research officer for a new company called Intelligent Composites joined WUWM’s UWM Today radio show, along with Chris Jordan, the chief marketing officer of the company.

Chemical engineering Prof. Emeritus Krishna Vedula, special assistant to the Provost for international partnerships, has been named a Fellow of the American Society for Engineering Education.

Vilas Mujumdar has been an independent consulting engineer since 2009. Previously he was CEO, President and Partner in many large engineering firms and at highest-level in the public sector; Chief of Operations, Division of State Architect, State of California; Director, Engineering Research Centers Program at the National Science Foundation (NSF). His professional experience includes Design, Project Management, Teaching, and Research Management in Asia, Europe, Canada and the US.

He is a recipient of many awards and recognitions nationally and internationally. Some awards are: NSF Director’s Award (2009); NSF Outstanding Service Award (2008); NEES Community Visionary award (2005); Special recognition from California Governor “for making a significant contribution to enhancing seismic safety in California”(1999). Won many international awards for Building Projects in the private industry, many projects published as feature articles in Engineering News Record.

Vilas currently serves on ASCE board of Direction and has served on the Board of Direction of many other Professional Societies He is recognized internationally for his leadership and contribution to integrated trans-disciplinary work in reducing natural hazard risks, and is proactively involved in addressing resilience and sustainability issues facing the global society. He was Chief Engineering Editor for Natural Hazards Review (2009-2015), an ASCE multihazard, multidisciplinary journal.

Dr. Mujumdar has authored two books, guidelines, numerous reports and manuals and over 75 technical papers and has given over 30 keynote lectures at international conferences.

He is listed in Who’s Who in the World, Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in Science and Engineering, and Who’s Who in Finance and Industry.

Current Engagements

  • World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO)
  • US Representative
  • Member of the Executive Council
  • Vice-Chair, Disaster Risk Management Committee
  • Member, Strategic Planning Task Force
  • Pan American Federation of Engineering Societies (UPADI)
  • President, Disaster Risk Management and Resilience Committee
  • Pontifica Universidad Catolica de Chile
  • Member, International Advisory Board, School of Engineering
  • Northeastern University
  • Member, Industrial Advisory Board, College of Engineering
  • University of Notre Dame
  • Adjunct Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering
  • ASCE Foundation (American Society of Civil Engineers)

Trustee

  • Affiliations with Professional Societies
  • Institution of Structural Engineers (U.K.) (Fellow)
  • American Concrete Institute
  • Prestressed Concrete Institute
  • Structural Engineering Institute
  • The Masonry Society
  • Society for Risk Analysis

Education

  • B.S. in Civil Engineering
  • M.S. in Civil Engineering
  • MBA in Finance
  • Doctorate (Seismic Risk) – Public Policy