Herff College of Engineering
Cutting-Edge Research at Herff College of Engineering
At the Herff College of Engineering at the University of Memphis, research drives innovation and real-world impact. As part of a Carnegie R1 research university, our faculty and staff are engaged in a variety of research centers and institutes, many of which focus on interdisciplinary projects that address critical challenges in the Mid-South and across the nation.
Hands-On Research Opportunities for Students
Herff College offers a truly hands-on environment where undergraduate students have unprecedented access to graduate-level labs and cutting-edge research projects. Students collaborate with faculty, engineers, mentors and peers on design and innovation projects that develop technical expertise and problem-solving skills.
Our approach ensures students gain more lab access, more project experience and more opportunities to learn and grow—preparing them to contribute meaningfully to engineering fields upon graduation. By working directly on impactful research, Herff students participate in efforts that advance technology, improve industry practices, and address real-world engineering challenges.
As a senior undergraduate student, Alexandra Snyder received the highly competitive NSF Graduate Research Fellowship (GRFP), which will allow her to continue her groundbreaking biomedical engineering research while pursuing her PhD.
Transportation Department Awards $2 Million to Commercial Driving Safety Research Project
The University of Memphis Center for Transportation Innovation, Education and Research (C-TIER) has been awarded $2 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation to research high-risk work zones in order to create safer work environments for commercial drivers and commercial driving vehicles (CMV). The project is being led by C-TIER’s Director Dr. Sabya Mishra.
CAESER tests fault zone water while drilling for answers on Memphis Aquifer
As part of CAESER's research into the Memphis Aquifer, Brooke Lafferty drilled hundreds of feet into the ground in Shelby Forest to examine water taken from fault zones.
University of Memphis Launches New Bachelor of Applied Science Program to Meet Workforce Demand
The University of Memphis has received approval from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) to launch a new Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degree, expanding opportunities for students seeking careers in high-demand technical and leadership fields.
- Access to graduate-level labs and research equipment
- Collaboration with faculty, professional engineers, and student peers
- Opportunities to work on interdisciplinary projects with real-world applications
- Preparation for careers in engineering, innovation, and technology leadership
At Herff College of Engineering, research is more than a classroom experience—it’s a pathway to innovation, discovery, and the skills needed to shape the future.
Departmental Research
4-nationally and internationally recognized faculty contributing to science and engineering
Research intensive department with
the largest research expenditure and
grad program at Herff Engineering
Interdisciplinary strong and focused on research in electrical , biomedical and intelligent information systems
Focused on applied research,
working with other departments
and industry
Active research program with grad study and research focused on thermo/gluid and applied mechanics/materials