February 12
@
4:00 PM
–
5:00 PM
The ME 903: Graduate Student Lecture Series features campus and visiting speakers who present on a variety of research topics in the field of mechanical engineering. Dr. Edward Cole is a Research Director at Norsk Hydro.
Bio: Edward Cole is a proud native of Nashville, TN and the fourth child of Lawrence & Delores Cole. Edward gained interest in engineering as a pre-teen while working in his father’s upholstery shop and by participating in a variety of home improvement projects. College prep courses and pivotal mentors led Edward to enroll as a Presidential Scholar at Tennessee State University (TSU) where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering (2006). During his years at TSU, Edward interned with notable companies such as Nissan, Honeywell, Hospital Corporations of America, and Y-12 National Security Complex. These valuable experiences showed Edward that he wanted more out of his education. So, the following year he enrolled as a Graduate Engineering Research Scholar (GERS) in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, with emphasis on manufacturing processes.
While in Madison, Edward participated in the Allied Community Outreach Group as well as the National Society of Black Engineers – Wisconsin Black Engineering Students Society (NSBE-WBESS). During the summer, you could often find Edward teaching engineering concepts to high school students through the PEOPLE program at UW-Madison or as a guest speaker to young students interested in STEM fields. In May 2009, Edward successfully defended his Master’s thesis entitled Investigation of Weld Material and Process Parameter Influence on Required Forge Force in Friction Stir Welding. Shortly after finishing the Master’s thesis, Edward was accepted as a PhD candidate in the Mechanical Engineering Department at UW-Madison. In December 2012 Edward defended his PhD dissertation entitled The Impact of Alloy and Tool Features on Friction Stir Welding Forces. The research focused on tool design, weld parameters and mechanical properties, all process characteristics to facilitate broader implementation of friction stir welding of aluminum.
Edward began his industrial career in 2013 as a Mechanical Engineer at Schlumberger in Houston, TX where he spent three years in downhole tool manufacturing. In 2016 Edward joined Sapa Extrusion in Troy, MI, responsible for process development and prototypes for a friction stir welded subframe for the Ford Edge. Success in welding and engineering projects led to a ~2yr expat opportunity in Finspång, Sweden. Edward returned to the US in 2019 as an R&D Manager with both personnel and strategy responsibility. Contributions continued and leadership competence grew. In 2025, Edward was named Director of Research, responsible for academic partnerships, prototype development, and intellectual property in North America.
Edward lives in Troy, MI with his wife Adrienne and two sons, Edward (6) and Ethan (3). He is an active member at Detroit Church and now has a special place in his heart for the Detroit Lions, Detroit Pistons and Detroit Redwings. Edward spends time in nature with golf clubs and enjoys vacations near water and mountains.
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