Grainger Engineers Accelerating Research (GEAR) Program
The GEAR Program helps tenure-track and specialized faculty new to Grainger Engineering launch their research through in-person meetings covering topics important for success. GEAR meetings are hands-on and include faculty panels sharing their experience on the different topics, peer discussions, and application to the GEAR participants’ unique situations.
Congratulations to the 2025-2026 GEAR Scholars!
Jorge Correa Panesso
Mechanical Science & Engineering
Min Jee Jang
Bioengineering
Yiwen Dong
Industrial & Enterprise Systems Engineering
Morten Lundsgaard
Physics
Rainer Engelken
Electrical & Computer Engineering
Ning Luo
Electrical & Computer Engineering
Matt Hausman
Aerospace Engineering
Ran Mei
Civil & Environment Engineering
Contact Us
DON TAKEHARA, PhD
Director for Research
203A Engineering Hall
(217) 330-1826
dtakehar@illinois.edu
KARA HALEY
Associate Director for Research
201 Engineering Hall
(217) 244-3775
haleykl@illinois.edu
L'Y FEHER, MBA
Program Coordinator
201 Engineering Hall
(217) 333-9366
feher2@illinois.edu
Questions about our GEAR Program? Contact us today to learn more about eligibility and the benefits of this unique college-sponsored program.