SOUTHFIELD, Mich., May 5, 2026—The Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineer awards highlight the importance of the next generation of talent in manufacturing to ensure that the industry continues to grow and thrive.

The 2026 award namesake is longtime SME member John Agapiou, PhD, FSME. Agapiou is a retired Technical Fellow Engineer, Global Research & Development, for General Motors, 

“I’m excited to recognize this impressive group of early-career engineers, whose achievements are a testament to their dedication and expertise in advancing manufacturing,” said Jeannine Kunz, SME executive director and CEO. “Their contributions are shaping the future of manufacturing technology, processes, and materials, and their continued momentum will lead to groundbreaking innovations.”

Recipients of the 2026 John Agapiou Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineer Award will be recognized at a variety of events during 2026, including the SME International Awards Gala in May, the NAMRI/SME awards luncheon during NAMRC 54, and at select corporate and university events. 

SME’s 2026 Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineers

• Raed Al Kontar, PhD, associate professor, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich., SME Member since 2025
• Mohsen Taheri Andani, PhD, assistant professor, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, SME Member since 2024
• Jennifer Bennett, PhD, assistant professor, United States Military Academy, West Point, N.Y., SME Member since 2024
• Michael Benoit, PhD, assistant professor, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ont., Canada, SME Member since 2025
• Diptak Bhattacharya, PhD, senior researcher, General Motors, Warren, Mich.
• Nadim S. Hmeidat, PhD, materials scientist, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Knoxville, Tenn., SME Member since 2024
• Amber M. Hubbard, PhD, R&D staff member, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Knoxville, Tenn.
• Milad Kamkar, PhD, assistant professor, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ont., Canada
• Newell Moser, PhD, mechanical engineer/research scientist, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Boulder, Colo., SME Member since 2025
• Sneha Prabha Narra, PhD, assistant professor, Carnegie Mellon University, Gibsonia, Pa., SME Member since 2023
• Baicun Wang, DEng., research professor, Zhejiang University China, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China, SME Member since 2025
• Yue Wang, senior data scientist, Cummins, Inc., Columbus, Ind.

Nominations for the 2027 Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineer Award should be submitted by Aug. 1. Visit sme.org/oyme for submission and additional award details.

About SME

Established in 1932 as a nonprofit organization, SME represents the North American manufacturing industry, including manufacturers, academia, professionals, students, and the communities in which they operate. We believe manufacturing holds the key to economic growth and prosperity, and champion the industry's potential as a diverse, thriving, and valued ecosystem. SME accelerates new technology adoption and builds North America’s talent and capabilities to advance manufacturing and drive competitiveness, resiliency, and national security. SME designs new ways to understand and solve problems, and our solutions advance the next wave of growth in manufacturing. Learn more at SME.org.