Cochran recognized as Researcher of the Year
FORT WAYNE, Ind.—It’s no surprise that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted nearly every aspect of daily operations at Purdue University Fort Wayne for more than six months. That includes all events, even the one to recognize the 2019–20 Researcher of the Year.
In order to remedy that, University Research and Innovation in the Office of Academic Affairs is taking this opportunity to formally introduce the 2019–20 Outstanding Researcher of the Year to the community.
David S. Cochran, professor of systems engineering and the director of the Center of Excellence in Systems Engineering at Purdue Fort Wayne, has been bestowed this honor.
Cochran's areas of research include enterprise design for sustainability, healthcare system redesign, and product development. He teaches systems engineering and collective systems design in the Purdue Fort Wayne Master of Science in Engineering degree program and with Purdue University Master of Science in Engineering Technology degree program. He is also developing an engineering management concentration with the Richard T. Doermer School of Business and has served as the Fort Wayne representative to the Purdue University Graduate Council for six years.
Cochran’s research output includes three book chapters, 29 peer-reviewed journal publications, 52 refereed conference publications, and 37 technical reports. He has made 35 international and 125 domestic presentations, and his work has been cited more than 1,500 times by worldwide researchers.
Sponsors of Cochran's research include Triton Metal Products, Pyromation, BF Goodrich, Alexin, Nissin Brake Ohio, Rogers Electro-Matics, Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, DAVAUS, LLC, Oji Intertech, Paragon Medical, Parkview LaGrange Hospital and Medical Center, and Franciscan Health Indianapolis.
Cochran received his bachelor’s degree from Auburn University, a master of science from Pennsylvania State University, and a doctorate from Auburn University. He began his teaching career as an assistant and associate professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He also served as faculty at Meijo University in Nagoya, Japan, and at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. Cochran joined Purdue Fort Wayne in 2012 as an associate professor and was promoted to full professor in 2018.
When he’s not teaching or involved in research projects, Cochran enjoys spending time with his family, home remodeling, gardening, car repair, and model rocketry.
The 2020–21 Outstanding Researcher of the Year will be announced later this fall.
For more information on the nomination and selection processes, contact University Research and Innovation at 260-481-5788 or [email protected].
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