Tejas Pandya
A year ago, Tejas Pandya was in search of a great opportunity to pursue research and teaching. He stumbled upon a notice about a faculty position in the University of Mississippi School of Engineering and applied. The rest, as they say, is history.
“I was expecting a dynamic environment for conducting research with good labs and collaborating with accomplished senior faculty,” said the new assistant professor of mechanical engineering. “My experience has been very good. I find the faculty and administration is very supportive.”
Pandya teaches Introduction to Mechanical Design, Computer Aided Design and Structures and Dynamics Lab. He plans to offer a course on renewable energy systems.
“The Blast and Impact Dynamics lab is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment,” he said. “My research interests are in area of mechanical design, sustainable technologies with low carbon footprint and renewable energy systems.”
A member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Pandya enjoys reading, hiking, outdoors and photography, watching college football and tailgating. He and his wife, Monika, have a daughter, Vijaya, 2.
The Pandyas find Oxford is a vibrant town and an ideal place to work and live.
“My wife is an experienced fashion merchandiser and a field hockey player,” Pandya said. “We would love to see Vijaya play for the Ole Miss soccer team. She has already started kicking the soccer ball.”
Arunachalam Rajendran, chair and professor of mechanical engineering, said Pandya is a welcome addition to the department.
“Dr. Pandya brings exceptional multi-national industrial experience that would be an asset for the Mechanical Engineering department,” Rajendran said. “Our students will greatly benefit through his teaching, which incorporates design methodology and tools that would bridge the gap between the classroom and industry.”