Crassidis elected fellow of American Society of Mechanical Engineers

John Crassidis, SUNY Distinguished Professor and Samuel P. Capen Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, has been elected a fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).

Established in 1880, ASME aims to “advance engineering for the benefit of society.” It currently has more than 85,000 members from 140 countries. In order to be selected as a fellow — a “membership grade of distinction” recognizing “significant engineering achievements” — an ASME member must have been in active practice for at least 10 years and have been an active corporate member of ASME for at least a decade as well.

“John’s election to fellow of ASME is a testament to his outstanding contributions to the engineering community, demonstrating his prominence and distinguished reputation as a national and international leader,” says Francine Battaglia, professor and chair of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. “John has been a pillar of the department, having served in various leadership roles, and his recognition with this prestigious honor will further enhance the reputation of our department.”

Crassidis is a world-renowned expert in space situational awareness, space navigation and space station safety. His research has improved the detection and tracking of space debris, helped keep astronauts safe during space missions and provided new research directions for the Department of Defense that have the potential to provide even greater protection of U.S. assets in space.

He directs UB’s Center for Multisource Information Fusion Center — the only dedicated fusion center in the U.S. — and is also founder and director of the UB Nanosatellite Laboratory, where each year more than 100 students design, build and test satellites for use by the Air Force and NASA. 

A UB faculty member since 2001, Crassidis also is a fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) and the American Astronautical Society (AAS).

His numerous other honors include the 2017 UB President Emeritus and Mrs. Meyerson Award for Distinguished Undergraduate Teaching and Mentoring, the 2016 J. Leland Atwood Award from the AIAA, UB’s 2014 Richard T. Sarkin Award for Excellence in Teaching, the 2012 AIAA Mechanics and Control of Flight Award, a 2006 AIAA Sustained Service Award and the Society of Automotive Engineers’ 2006 Ralph T. Teetor Educational Award.

A three-time UB alumnus, Crassidis received his BS in 1989, his MS in 1991 and his PhD in 1993, all in mechanical engineering.