Rising manufacturing researcher recognized for excellence
Published: Oct 28, 2025 10:10 AM
By Carla Nelson
Rongxuan Wang, assistant professor in Auburn University’s Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, has been named a 2025 recipient of the Junior Faculty Research Award for Excellence from the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering.
The award recognizes early-career faculty members who have demonstrated exceptional promise in research and innovation while contributing to Auburn’s mission of advancing engineering knowledge and impact.
Since joining Auburn in 2022, Wang has established himself as a rising leader in advanced manufacturing research, with a focus on sensing and control in metal additive manufacturing. He directs the Advanced Manufacturing Instrumentation Control and Sensing (AMICS) Lab, where his group studies how artificial intelligence and data analytics can enhance sensor performance and enable microstructure-level control in 3D-printed metal components.
Wang’s research works to advance applications across multiple industries, including energy, automotive, aerospace, and space exploration, by improving the precision, reliability, and efficiency of additive manufacturing technologies.
In just two years, Wang has secured four funded projects totaling $370,000, submitted four additional proposals worth $3 million, and is preparing three more valued at $1.5 million. His group has published four journal papers in leading journals such as Additive Manufacturing and Nature Communications, submitted four more, and presented findings through nine invited talks and one conference paper.
Wang’s team has also filed four patents, earned a Best Student Paper Award at the IISE Annual Conference, and twice finished as finalists in the NAMRC/MSEC Student Manufacturing Design Competition.
“My time at Auburn has allowed me to focus on lab construction, group growth and the kind of cutting-edge research that excites me most,” Wang said. “I appreciate the support from our department and the college, which gives me tremendous flexibility and freedom.”
Wang also credited the collaborative spirit of the college for his success.
“I’m very excited to be at an institution where the faculty’s efforts are recognized,” he said. “I felt humbled to receive this award, especially after learning about the great work of other colleagues. It provides us a platform to exchange ideas and collaborate.”
Wang’s AMICS Lab has developed a one-of-a-kind laser powder bed fusion testbed, attracting partnerships from leading universities and research institutions including Stanford, the University of Pittsburgh, the University of Florida, Virginia Tech, the University at Buffalo, SUNY Binghamton, Oregon State University, Arizona State University, UT Arlington, Argonne National Laboratory, and NIST.
In addition to his research achievements, Wang has served as a National Science Foundation review panelist, reviewed more than 60 journal submissions, and serves on the board of the Manufacturing and Design Track of the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE).
“I hope the technologies we’re developing can both benefit fundamental research and real industry applications,” Wang said.
Media Contact: , carla@auburn.edu, 334-844-1404
In just two years, Wang has secured four funded projects totaling $370,000, submitted four additional proposals worth $3 million, and is preparing three more valued at $1.5 million.
