Faculty Q&A: Meet Chloe He, assistant teaching professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at Michigan Tech
Dr. Chloe He was a lecturer in the MAE department at Michigan Tech in Spring 2024, and is now an assistant teaching professor started in Fall 2024. She holds a BA in Environmental and Energy Engineering from Beijing University of Technology, a MS in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from New Mexico State University and PhD in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from Michigan Technological University. Dr. He is specialized in heat transfer, with a particular focus on leveraging chemical surface treatment techniques to enhance thermal performance in experimental settings.
What drew you to Michigan Tech?
CH: I first came to Michigan Tech as a PhD student. What really drew me in was a combination of academic opportunity and personal passion. When I was a master’s student at New Mexico State, my advisor, Dr. Chunpei Cai, accepted a job at Michigan Tech and invited me to continue my studies under his guidance. I did some research into Michigan Tech and was impressed by the research facilities and academic environment. The bonus? I love snowboarding, and Michigan Tech offered me both professional growth and access to great winter sports.
What is your primary area of research, and what led you to it?
My research started in heat transfer and surface modification. Specifically, maximizing heat transfer in internal channels using chemical surface treatments. It was very experimental in the beginning, but I quickly became interested in computational tools. My PhD advisor was heavily involved in software development for simulations, and I joined him in refining a home-grown Direct Simulation of Monte Carlo (DSMC) code. That was a big shift, but it helped me understand what happens beyond the traditional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) commercial software and allowed me to explore the thermal transport phenomena in rarefied gas flow computationally.
What do you consider an important long-term goal for your research, teaching or outreach?
A long-term goal of mine is to focus on microfluidic device design for health applications. This is very personal—my daughter has Type 1 diabetes, and the insulin delivery device she uses relies on tiny microtubes. These devices still have room for improvement in terms of precision and thermal noise control. My aim is to contribute to the development of more efficient and compact drug delivery systems. It’s incredibly motivating to know that the research I do could have a direct impact on improving human health, especially for those in the diabetes community.
What do you hope to accomplish, as a researcher and educator, over the next few years?
Over the next few years, I hope to expand my involvement in both mechanical and aerospace engineering programs. While I’m currently teaching courses like Mechanics of Materials, Introductory Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer, and the first Mechanical Engineering Practice course (MEP1), I have a strong interest in developing aerospace-related coursework and research. I also want to continue mentoring students in hands-on and computational research projects and strengthen interdisciplinary collaborations, especially those tied to biomedical applications.
Where are you from? What do you like to do in your spare time?
I’m originally from Beijing, China. I spent my early undergraduate years there before transferring to New Mexico State University through a bridge program. In my free time, I enjoy snowboarding, especially now that my children are older and I can spend more time on the hill. My family and I are also planning to try snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. In warmer months, we enjoy hiking and biking, and when I’m at home, I like to paint. It’s a relaxing creative outlet.
What’s your favorite book, movie or piece of art?
My favorite movie is The Shawshank Redemption. No matter how many times I watch it, it still moves me. As for books, recently I’ve been reading Educated by Tara Westover. I first read it in Chinese and am now going through the English version. It’s a powerful story about perseverance and the value of education. As a parent of two young girls, I also read a lot of books about raising children—especially daughters—and managing sibling dynamics!
Have you found any favorite spots on campus, in Houghton or in the UP?
My family and I love the drive to Copper Harbor, especially in the fall when the Covered Road is in full color. It’s become an annual tradition for us. Copper Harbor is peaceful, surrounded by nature, and has charming little shops. It’s different in every season, which makes it a wonderful place to revisit. We haven’t made it there in winter yet, but that’s on the list for next year!
Do you have any advice for incoming students?
For engineering students, I strongly recommend maintaining and strengthening your math skills. Many students have great conceptual understanding. But when it comes to applying math under pressure, like during exams, some struggle. Being comfortable with numbers and confident in problem-solving will give students a smoother journey through the fundamentals and into advanced courses. It’s a skill that will pay off across all disciplines in engineering.