Dr. Amy Fleischer Becomes College’s First Female Full Professor
Dr. Amy Fleischer
Dr. Amy Fleischer made College of Engineering history in June, when she was promoted to Full Professor of Mechanical Engineering—the first time a female faculty member has ascended to this rank in any engineering discipline at Villanova.
“Amy has excelled in all aspects of her academic career. She has demonstrated the qualities of an engaged teacher, a highly effective scholar, and a commitment to service within and outside the University. She has been recognized within the College as one of our finest teachers, and as a researcher, she has achieved international recognition for her contributions to electronics cooling and engaged both undergraduate and graduate students in her research,” says Dr. Gary Gabriele, Drosdick Endowed Dean of Engineering. “Amy has also been a contributor and leader on both Villanova and American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) committees. She is a great role model for our many young women faculty and women engineering students.”
A longtime member of the Villanova Engineering family, Dr. Fleischer earned her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering at Villanova in 1991 and 1996, respectively, with advisement from Dr. Ed McAssey, Professor Emeritus of Mechanical Engineering. She then went on to complete her PhD at the University of Minnesota in 2000.
“It has been a pleasure to work with the students, faculty, and staff throughout my career at Villanova. The supportive and collaborative environment that is a hallmark of our program has played a major role in all of my accomplishments,” says Dr. Fleischer.
In the classroom, Dr. Fleischer teaches at the undergraduate and graduate level in the areas of thermal fluid systems design, thermal management of electronics, and conduction heat transfer. She has advised 11 master’s degree students and two PhD candidates. Dr. Fleischer also leads an annual Girls in Mechanical Engineering Day for local Girls Scout troops, in which she, her colleagues, and students share their love for engineering with the next generation of engineering students.
From a research perspective, Dr. Fleischer is internationally recognized for her expertise in thermal fluid systems design. As director of NovaTherm—The Villanova Thermal Management Laboratory, Dr. Fleischer contributes to the College’s Thermal and Fluid Systems research cluster and serves as a member of the National Science Foundation Industry/University Cooperative Research Center on Energy-Efficient Electronic Systems. Her research interests include sustainable energy systems design and thermal management of electronic systems. Recent investigations have included energy storage in phase change materials, development of nano-enhanced materials, jet impingement, porous heat sinks, and boiling heat transfer. She has authored more than 60 papers for scholarly journals and conferences.
Within the international heat transfer community, Dr. Fleischer has been repeatedly recognized for her accomplishments and has served as chair of the ASME Heat Transfer K-16 Technical Committee on Electronics Thermal Management and on the Executive Committee of the ASME’s Electronics and Photonics Packaging Division (EPPD), which named her the 2010 Woman Engineer of the Year. She also received the 2011 ASME K-16/EPPD Clock Award in recognition of outstanding contributions to the field of heat transfer in electronics.
In 2012, Dr. Fleischer was also named to the inaugural class of fellows of the Executive Leadership in Academic Technology and Engineering (ELATE) program at Drexel University, a national program for female faculty of engineering and the sciences designed to help participants increase personal and professional leadership effectiveness, develop knowledge of organizational dynamics at their institutions, improve strategic management of finances and resources, and strengthen relationships.