Choi: Making an Impact on Iowa Engineering

During his four decades at the University of Iowa (UI), you might have seen Professor Kyung (KK) Choi taking a walk across campus every now and then to clear his head. He was likely thinking about his work and his students, or some fascinating problem he hoped to solve. Choi has served the Department of Mechanical Engineering since 1973, when he first started master’s studies at the university, until his retirement this year. Choi has indeed made an enduring impact on everyone he has been in contact with at Iowa.

Choi has played many roles during his time at the UI College of Engineering, from master’s student to the Roy J. Carver Professor of Mechanical Engineering. Choi calls his three years as a postdoc and a research assistant his “prime time,” which provided a foundation on which to build the next 40 years of research, teaching, and scholarship.

Choi has served the Department of Mechanical Engineering since 1973, when he first started master’s studies at the university, until his retirement this year. Choi has indeed made an enduring impact on everyone he has been in contact with at Iowa.

During his time as a UI student and assistant, Choi learned a great deal from his mentor, Edward Haug, who helped nurture Choi’s incredible bond with the university. When Choi was apprehensive about staying with the College of Engineering because of concerns that he might compete with his friend and mentor for research funding, Haug was adamant that Choi stay at the college.

Choi enjoyed a speedy and successful transition from associate professor to full professor. The average time required for this career path is 12 years but Choi completed it in 6.5 years. Choi served as Associate Director (1990-1993), Deputy Director (1993-1995), Acting Director (1995-1996), and Director of Center for Computer-Aided Design (CCAD, now known as Iowa Technology Institute) (1996-2003). Choi is Elected Fellow

of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA).

Choi started his research area in theory and numerical methods of design sensitivity analysis and then changed in his mid-career to reliability analysis and reliability-based design optimization. It was a significant change and something many faculty researchers would not consider. For Choi, however, the change allowed him to continue working with students and create a platform for them to succeed under his wing. When none of his graduate students volunteered to carry out with him the new research, Choi chose a second-year PhD student to work with him. When the student asked, “Why me?” Choi pointed out future potentiality and the student’s capability. Choi is proud to have shepherded the student to a successful career in this research area.

In 2013, Choi established the start-up company RAMDO Solutions to commercialize the Iowa Reliability-Based Design Optimization (I-RBDO) software developed by his research team. The commercialized product is called RAMDO (Reliability Analysis & Multidisciplinary Design Optimization). Due to the success of the company, Choi received the University of Iowa Startup of the Year Award in 2017.

When asked about his most rewarding moments at the university, Choi responded, “I am most proud of mentoring my former 39 PhD students who are successfully pursuing their careers in the academy, industry, and government organizations. They are the ones who made us carry out exciting and successful research. It was very rewarding when they became better researchers in their specific area than I am.”

Choi says he has always loved the process of thinking through a problem and finding the solution. He would sometimes walk to Iowa Book and Supply to think and discuss with himself the problems he was given and their possible solutions. Usually, Choi didn’t even make it to the store before turning around and hustling back

to his office to write down the ideas that had flowed through his mind while he was walking.

Choi has made an indelible impact on the College of Engineering, from teaching first-year students just beginning to learn about their major to seniors finishing their degrees to pursue a fantastic future in the field. Choi says his students and colleagues at the University of Iowa will never be far from his thoughts. He says his connections and the powerful bond he feels to this university have been an important part of his life.

Choi has been a wonderful addition to the university. He will be missed!

Choi says his students and colleagues at the University of Iowa will never be far from his thoughts. He says his connections and the powerful bond he feels to this university have been an important part of his life.