Dr. Ismail Fidan is an accomplished engineering educator, researcher, academic leader, and professional with nearly three decades of experience in advanced manufacturing, additive manufacturing, electronics manufacturing, and engineering technology education. He currently serves as the Chair of Engineering and Technology Programs at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU). Prior to joining MTSU, he served as a Professor in the Department of Manufacturing and Engineering Technology at Tennessee Technological University, where he also served in several leadership roles, including Director of the Grand Challenges Scholars Program and Director of the University Maker Space.    

Dr. Fidan has established a distinguished record of externally funded research, having led or participated in nearly 40 externally funded projects totaling approximately $4 million, including 12 National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded projects. His research encompasses advanced and additive manufacturing, manufacturing materials and processes, electronics manufacturing, sustainable manufacturing, workforce development, and engineering technology education. His work has resulted in more than 250 peer-reviewed publications and nearly 5,500 citations, reflecting substantial national and international impact. His research has also provided extensive opportunities for graduate education and interdisciplinary collaboration. Tennessee Tech has recognized his research productivity and impact through multiple research awards, including the Caplenor Faculty Research Award and the Kinslow Engineering Research Award.    

A particularly significant aspect of Dr. Fidan’s career is his commitment to mentoring the next generation of engineers, researchers, and educators. He has successfully mentored 29 graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, many of whom have progressed to prestigious positions in academia, government, and industry around the world. His former students have established successful careers across the United States and internationally, demonstrating the long-term impact of his graduate mentoring and research leadership.    

Dr. Fidan is also an internationally recognized scholarly leader and academic editor. He has served as Editor of the Journal of Engineering Technology and Progress in Additive Manufacturing and has held editorial positions with several other prominent journals, including IEEE and other international publications. He has also served as a technical reviewer for thousands of scholarly manuscripts and has been actively involved in ABET and professional accreditation activities.    

His accomplishments have been recognized with more than three dozen university, state, national, and international awards. Among his most significant honors are the 2025 ASEE Frederick J. Berger Award, the 2023 ASEE National Engineering Technology Teaching Award, the 2024 Tennessee Tech Outstanding Faculty Award for Teaching, the 2020 Caplenor Faculty Research Award, the 2012 Distinguished Professional Service Award, the 2010 Fulbright Senior Scholar Award, the 2021 Kinslow Engineering Research Award, and multiple Tennessee Tech Research Achievement Awards. Tennessee Tech has recognized him at the highest institutional levels for teaching, research, and professional service, making him one of the relatively few faculty members to receive the university's top awards in all three areas.    

Dr. Fidan has also provided extensive professional leadership through ASEE, SME, ABET, and IEEE, contributing to engineering education, accreditation, manufacturing workforce development, and the advancement of engineering technology. His professional leadership, research accomplishments, graduate mentoring, and commitment to innovative education have established him as a nationally recognized leader in engineering technology and advanced manufacturing. His career reflects a sustained commitment to research excellence, graduate education, student success, innovation, and the advancement of engineering and manufacturing education.

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