Dr. Yu is an Associate Professor in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) at Utah State University. He received his PhD in Aerospace Engineering from Georgia Tech in 2002. His expertise is in composite structures, smart structures, heterogeneous materials, and multibody dynamics. He developed five computer programs including VABS, VAPAS, VAMUCH, PreVABS, and GEBT, which are being used extensively in government labs, industry, and academia. He has authored over 80 refereed technical articles and received funding from the National Science Foundation, Air Force Office of Scientific Research, Army Research Office, Department of the Army, the State of Utah, Space Dynamics Laboratory, Boeing, Sikorsky, Groen Brothers Aviation, and AeroVironment. Recent honors include an Air Force Summer Faculty Fellowship, College of Engineering Research Excellence Award (twice), MAE Outstanding Researcher of the Year (twice), ASEE Outstanding New Mechanics Educator Award, MAE Outstanding Teacher of the Year, Sigma Xi Best PhD Thesis Award, Luther S. Long III Memorial Award in Engineering Mechanics, and early promotion to Associate Professor with Tenure. Yu’s current research focus is on the modeling of adaptive materials and structures, and is sponsored by the National Science Foundation, Air Force Office of Scientific Research, and the Department of the Army.