Yafeng Yin named CEE department chair

Yafeng Yin has been appointed as the Donald Malloure Department Chair of the Civil & Environmental Engineering department through 30 June 2028. Yin’s new term, which was approved by the Regents on 18 May 2023, will begin on 1 July 2023. He has served as interim chair of CEE since his appointment on 1 December 2021. 

During his tenure as interim chair, Yin ensured a seamless transition of department leadership amidst the challenges posed by the pandemic and provided strong leadership by guiding the department toward further growth. 

Under his leadership, CEE has broadened its research and teaching capabilities; enhanced the educational experience for students by transforming program curricula, which has resulted in improved rankings and allowing students to gain a deeper understanding of topics in specific areas; expanded programming and scholarship opportunities that foster diversity, equity and inclusion across the CEE community; and continued to make significant progress toward the department’s Strategic Directions and mission of educating engineers in service to society. 

As a professor at U-M, Yin’s current research focuses on enabling connected and automated mobility, and he has published more than 140 refereed papers in leading academic journals. 

Yin has received recognition from numerous institutions, including the Faculty-Staff Partnership Award and the Monroe-Brown Foundation Education Excellence Award from the University of Michigan, a Doctoral Mentoring Award from the University of Florida, the Outstanding Leadership Award from the Chinese Overseas Transportation Association, the Stella Dafermos Best Paper Award, the Ryuichi Kitamura Paper Award, and the Kikuchi-Karlaftis Best Paper Award from the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

In addition, Yin received overwhelmingly positive feedback from faculty and staff members who completed the department chair survey in February 2023, which highlighted his thoughtful and empowering leadership style.

“Professor Yin has demonstrated his commitment to continuing the department’s legacy of leadership and excellence in civil and environmental engineering. With his ability to foster collaboration and inclusivity, I am confident that he will build on the momentum of his time as interim chair,” said Alec D. Gallimore, the Robert J. Vlasic Dean of Engineering, the Richard F. and Eleanor A. Towner Professor, an Arthur F. Thurnau Professor, and a professor of aerospace engineering.

“I am honored to have been appointed as the Donald Malloure Department Chair for CEE,” said Yin. “I am excited to continue working alongside our faculty, staff and students as we collaborate to tackle engineering challenges and provide solutions that promote equitable access for all. I look forward to the opportunities and successes that lie ahead.”

Yin received his PhD in civil engineering from the University of Tokyo, a Master’s in civil engineering from Tsinghua University, and bachelor’s degrees in structural engineering and environmental engineering from Tsinghua University.