New Mechanical Engineering Faculty: Adam Dempsey

Adam Dempsey will join the Department of Mechanical Engineering as an Associate Professor in January 2026!

His research program is centered on sustainable, clean energy research – specifically low carbon renewable fuels for internal combustion engines. One of the fastest growing energy sectors is commercial transportation, and it is the most difficult to electrify due to the high energy demands over long operating periods. To improve the sustainability of heavy-duty transportation, we must reduce the emissions from diesel engines, the primary power source in this sector. The most pragmatic way to reduce toxic and greenhouse gas emissions from diesel engines is by using alternative, lower carbon, cleaner burning fuels. Dempsey’s research group uses computer modeling and experiments to develop new internal combustion engine technologies that allow engines to use a wide variety of alternative fuels, without sacrificing performance and improving efficiency. 

Dempsey is currently an Associate Professor at Marquette University in the Mechanical Engineering Department. Prior to joining Marquette, he was a Senior Research Engineer at Caterpillar Inc. and a postdoctoral researcher at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Dempsey received his Bachelors and Masters in Mechanical Engineering from Bradley University and earned his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2013.