Melvyn C. Branch
Joseph Negler Professor Emeritus
303-442-8538
branch@colorado.EDU
Curriculum Vitae
Education
- Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California.
- M.S. Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California
- B.S. Aerospace Mechanical Sciences, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey
Professional Recognition
- Captain, Princeton University Track Team, 1965 1966, recipient of Bonthron Trophy, 1966
- National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship, 1972
- Society of Automotive Engineers Ralph. R. Teetor Award, 1974
- Tau Beta Pi National Engineering Honor Society, 1980
- University of Colorado Teacher Recognition Award, 1981
- American Society of Mechanical Engineers Gustus L. Larson Award, 1982
- Fulbright Fellowship, 1982
- University of Colorado Faculty Fellowship, 1983
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Outstanding Achievement Award, 1988
- Denver Clean Air Task Force Certificate of Merit, 1988
- Elected Fellow of American Society of Mechanical Engineers, 1989
- Associated Western Universities Faculty Fellowship, 1990
- University of Colorado Boulder Faculty Assembly Service Award, 1992
- Joseph Negler Endowed Chair in Engineering, 2001-2006
Research Interests
Dr. Melvyn C. Branch studied Aerospace/Mechanical Sciences at Princeton University and was awarded the B.S.E. His graduate study was carried out at the University of California, Berkeley, in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, where he received the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. He was awarded a National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship to conduct basic combustion studies at the Imperial College of the University of London. He has taught previously at the International College, Beirut, Lebanon, the University of California, Berkeley and was an invited Visiting Professor at Cairo University, Egypt and Université Catholique de Louvain, Belgium.
Dr Branch is Professor of Mechanical Engineering Emeritus at the University of Colorado at Boulder. He has previously served as Associate Dean of Engineering for Research and Administration, Associate Dean of the Graduate School, and Director of the Center for Combustion Research. He teaches graduate and undergraduate courses on combustion fundamentals, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, applied thermodynamics and fuel technology. His research activity in these areas includes experimental and theoretical studies of combustion generated air pollutants, fuel efficiency, in situ combustion, metal burning, and aircraft and rocket combustion. His recent consulting activity includes the 3M Company, the Combustion Research Division of Sandia National Laboratories, the Air Pollution Control Division of the State of Colorado and the U.S. Federal Trade Commission. Dr. Branch has served as a member and Chair of the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission, the state agency responsible for promulgating state regulations relating to air quality and as a member of the Research Committee of the Health Effects Institute.
Dr Branch is a member of the Combustion Institute, Tau Beta Pi, Pi Tau Sigma, and a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. He is a past chairman of the Western States Section Combustion Institute. He has been honored with the Society of Automotive Engineers Ralph Teetor Award for engineering educators and the University of Colorado Teacher Recognition Award for outstanding teacher during the year. His research awards include the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Gustus L. Larson Award, the Fulbright Fellowship, the University of Colorado Faculty Fellowship and the Associated Western Universities Faculty Fellowship. He has authored over 90 technical articles and supervised sixteen students to completion of the PhD.