Chinedum (Chi) Okwudire is an associate professor of Mechanical Engineering and Miller Faculty Scholar at the University of Michigan. Prior to joining Michigan, he was the mechatronic systems optimization team leader at DMG Mori USA. His research is focused on exploiting knowledge at the intersection of machine design, control and computing to boost the performance of manufacturing automation systems at low cost. His research has been applied to precision machine tools, nanopositioning systems, wafer scanners and 3D printers. His scholarly and teaching contributions have been recognized by several awards that include the CAREER Award from the National Science Foundation; the Young Investigator Award from the International Symposium on Flexible Automation; the Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineer Award from SME; the Ralph Teetor Educational Award from SAE International; the Department Achievement Award from the Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Michigan; and the Russell Severance Springer Visiting Professorship at UC Berkeley. He has co-authored a number of best paper award winning papers, including the 2016 ASME Dynamic Systems and Controls Division’s Best Paper on Mechatronics Award, a 2021 IEEE/ASME Transactions on Mechatronics Best Paper Finalist Award, and the Best Paper Award at the 2022 IEEE/ASME International Conference on Advanced Intelligent Mechatronics. He was recently selected by SME as one of the 25 leaders transforming manufacturing.