Robert Prucka has been appointed chair of Clemson University’s Department of Automotive Engineering.
Prucka has served as interim chair of the department and has demonstrated outstanding leadership, a strong commitment to students and faculty, and a clear vision for the future of automotive engineering education and research at Clemson.
He is the Alan Kulwicki Professor of Motorsports Engineering and has served as director of the Virtual Prototyping of Autonomy-Enabled Ground Systems Center (VIPR-GS).
His research expertise spans the design and control of advanced internal combustion engines and powertrain systems and their integration into vehicles. He leads an active research group focused on the design, control, calibration, and operation of advanced powertrain technologies, including electrified systems used in autonomous off-road vehicles.
Prior to serving as interim chair, Prucka directed Clemson’s Deep Orange vehicle prototyping program, where he led interdisciplinary teams of students, faculty, and staff through the design, build, and validation of innovative prototype vehicles. Among these projects was the high-speed, driverless race car developed for the Indy Autonomous Challenge, showcasing Clemson’s leadership at the intersection of automotive engineering and autonomous mobility.
Prucka is an active member of the Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute, the Specialty Equipment Market Association, and is a Fellow of the Society of Automotive Engineers. His many honors include the SAE Ralph R. Teetor Educational Award and Clemson University’s Murray Stokely Award for Excellence in Teaching.
He earned his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from the University of Michigan in 2008.
Prucka’s selection was announced via email by Anand Gramopadhye, dean of the College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences, and Laine Mears, director of the School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering.
They extended their thanks to the search committee, chaired by Beshah Ayalew, for its thoughtful leadership and dedicated efforts throughout the search process.
They also said that Prucka’s experience, technical expertise, and dedication to innovation make him exceptionally well-positioned to lead the department into its next chapter and congratulated him on his new role.
