Mary Irene Frecker is an American mechanical engineer whose research focuses on

topology optimization Topology optimization is a mathematical method that optimizes material layout within a given design space, for a given set of loads, boundary conditions and constraints with the goal of maximizing the performance of the system. Topology optimizat ...

of adaptive structures,

compliant mechanism In mechanical engineering, a compliant mechanism is a flexible mechanism that achieves force and motion transmission through elastic body deformation. It gains some or all of its motion from the relative flexibility of its members rather than fr ...

s, and self-folding

origami ) is the Japanese art of paper folding. In modern usage, the word "origami" is often used as an inclusive term for all folding practices, regardless of their culture of origin. The goal is to transform a flat square sheet of paper into a ...

mechanisms, with applications including the design of medical devices. She is a professor of mechanical and biomechanical engineering in the

Penn State College of Engineering The Penn State College of Engineering is the engineering school of the Pennsylvania State University, headquartered at the University Park campus in University Park, Pennsylvania. It was established in 1896, under the leadership of George W. At ...

, Riess Chair of Engineering, head of the mechanical engineering department, and director of the Penn State Center for Biodevices.

Education and career

Frecker majored in mechanical engineering at the

University of Dayton The University of Dayton (UD) is a Private university, private, Catholic research university in Dayton, Ohio, United States. Founded in 1850 by the Society of Mary (Marianists), Society of Mary, it is one of three Marianist universities in the U ...

, graduating in 1991. She went to the

University of Michigan The University of Michigan (U-M, U of M, or Michigan) is a public university, public research university in Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1817, it is the oldest institution of higher education in the state. The University of Mi ...

for graduate study in mechanical engineering, earning a master's degree in 1994 and completing her Ph.D. in 1997. Her dissertation was ''Optimal design of compliant mechanisms'', supervised by Noboru Kikuchi and Sridhar Kota. She joined the

Pennsylvania State University The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State or PSU) is a Public university, public Commonwealth System of Higher Education, state-related Land-grant university, land-grant research university with campuses and facilities throughout Pennsyl ...

in 1997 as an assistant professor and the Pearce Endowed Development Professor in Mechanical Engineering. In 2020, she was named to the Leighton Riess Chair in Engineering and became the director of the Penn State Center for Biodevices. She was named as head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, succeeding Karen Thole, in 2021.

Recognition

Frecker was elected as an

ASME Fellow The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) is an American professional association that, in its own words, "promotes the art, science, and practice of multidisciplinary engineering and allied sciences around the globe" via "continuing edu ...

in 2009. In 2021, the

American Society of Mechanical Engineers The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) is an American professional association that, in its own words, "promotes the art, science, and practice of multidisciplinary engineering and allied sciences around the globe" via "continuing edu ...

gave her their Adaptive Structures and Material Systems Award.

References

External links

Penn State Engineering Design and Optimization Group
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Frecker, Mary Year of birth missing (living people) Living people American mechanical engineers American women engineers University of Dayton alumni University of Michigan alumni Pennsylvania State University faculty Fellows of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers