Posted: January 02, 2013

Marcelo Dapino has been named the Honda R&D Americas Designated Chair in Engineering.

Marcelo Dapino, mechanical engineering professor and Ohio State’s director of the Honda/OSU Mobility Innovation Exchange (MIX), will become the Honda R&D Americas Designated Chair in Engineering. The appointment, which will be effective July 1, 2013, was approved by The Ohio State University Board of Trustees at its most recent meeting. Support for the Designated Chair comes from a renewable three-year gift made by Honda R&D Americas (HRA), located in Raymond, Ohio.

The Honda/OSU MIX is a unique collaborative research initiative between HRA and OSU, dedicated to promoting research and development projects, focusing on tangible outcomes that can impact Honda products while advancing OSU’s educational mission.  Primary responsibilities of the Designated Chair are oversight and long-term strategic planning of OSU MIX operations, including management of MIX-related facilities and relationships with Honda R&D. “We are excited to continue to strengthen our relationship with OSU through offering this Chair position and look forward to working closely with Professor Dapino as we seek new opportunities for engagement” states Lara Minor, MIX Co-Director, and manager for the Strategic Research Operations Division at HRA.  

“We are fortunate that Honda R&D chose to work with Ohio State on such an expansive collaboration,” Dapino said. “The Honda/OSU MIX underwent significant growth since its creation, but our objectives remain the same in the creation of basic knowledge to serve the academic mission of Ohio State along with the development of practical solutions that directly translate into improved Honda products.”

As a multi-disciplinary activity engaging multiple faculty across the University, the Honda/OSU MIX manages a broad research portfolio dealing with  mechatronics, dynamics, simulation, safety, and materials.  Ahmet Selamet, chair of the mechanical and aerospace engineering department, views the Honda/OSU MIX as an example of successful industry/university collaborations. “The MIX includes a joint housing of researchers in Scott Laboratory, home of mechanical and aerospace engineering, and is complemented by affiliated facilities on Ohio State’s main campus such as the new Driving Simulator Laboratory, which was developed in partnership among The Ohio State University, Honda R&D, and the Ohio Supercomputer Center. Support by Honda R&D toward Honda/OSU MIX Advanced Graduate Program, CATIA laboratory, capstone projects, and researcher exchange programs, provides our students unique opportunities for industry-oriented education and training.”

Learn more about Honda/OSU MIX

About Honda R&D Americas
Honda R&D Americas, Inc. (HRA) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Honda R&D Co., Ltd., the research and development arm of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. HRA began its operations in California in 1976, as Honda Research California, with a focus on local market research activities. The company has steadily grown its local footprint and capabilities over the past 36 years to include all aspects of new vehicle design and development. Today, HRA operates 14 major R&D facilities in North America with more than 1,800 designers, engineers and support personnel engaged in the development of new Honda and Acura automobiles, as well as Honda powersports and power equipment products, for North America and global markets. Recent new-product developments include the current Honda Odyssey minivan and Pilot SUV, and the Acura TL sedan and MDX luxury SUV.