Chinedum ("Chi") Okwudire is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Miller Faculty Scholar at the University of Michigan. Before joining the University of Michigan in 2011, he was the Systems Optimization team leader at DMG Mori USA. His research is focused on exploiting knowledge at the intersection of machine design, control and computing to boost the performance of manufacturing automation systems at low cost. His research has found applications in additive manufacturing, robotics, machining and nanopositioning. Chi has received a number of awards including the CAREER Award from the National Science Foundation; the Young Investigator Award from the International Symposium on Flexible Automation; the Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineer Award from SME; the Ralph Teetor Educational Award from SAE International; the Russell Severance Springer Visiting Professorship from UC Berkeley; and the SME Education Award. In 2022, he was selected by SME as one of the 25 leaders transforming manufacturing. He has co-authored a number of best-paper-award-winning papers in the areas of manufacturing automation, control and mechatronics. He is the founder and CTO of Ulendo Technologies Inc., a company focused on advanced automation solutions for additive manufacturing and industrial robotics. He is also a member of SME's Technical Community Leadership Committee on Additive Manufacturing.