Dr. Jungwon Ahn

Dr. Jungwon AhnDr. Jungwon Ahn is an Associate Professor and Program Director of the Manufacturing Engineering Technology program in the Department of Engineering at St. Cloud State University.

Before joining academia, Dr. Ahn worked as an engineer at Samsung Electronics, where he gained extensive experience in product development and manufacturing through a wide range of industry projects. Drawing on this practical engineering background, he integrates real-world engineering practices, industrial applications, and project-based learning into his teaching to better prepare students for successful careers in manufacturing and engineering.

Dr. Ahn is passionate about bridging academia and industry by developing strong partnerships with manufacturing companies, leading industry-sponsored capstone projects, mentoring undergraduate research, and creating hands-on learning opportunities that connect classroom knowledge with real-world engineering challenges. His goal is to equip students with both the technical expertise and practical experience needed to succeed in today's rapidly evolving manufacturing industry.

Dr. Ahn earned his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Yonsei University, South Korea, and his M.S. and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. In 2025, he received the Outstanding Educator Award from the Minnesota State Board of Trustees in recognition of his excellence in teaching and dedication to student success.  

Research Interests

  • Advanced Manufacturing and Automation
  • Computer-Integrated Manufacturing (CIM)
  • Plastics Processing and Manufacturing
  • Thermal Management of Electronic Systems
  • Heat Transfer and Heat Exchanger Design
  • Numerical Simulation and Engineering Modeling
  • Engineering Education

Courses Taught

  • Applied Statics and Dynamics

  • Applied Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics

  • Strength of Materials

  • Production Systems Control

  • Computer Integrated Manufacturing

  • Manufacturing Processes

  • Plastics Manufacturing

  • Safe and Efficient Facilities

  • Continuous Improvement

  • Manufacturing Concepts

  • Applications of Composites Materials

  • MFET Capstone Project I & II

  • Lean Manufacturing

  • Quality Engineering

  • Process and Tool Design

  • Facilities Planning and Materials Handling

Selected Publications

  • Ahn, Impact of Manufacturing Engineering Technology Student-Alumni Mentorship Program on Student and Alumni Engagement and Academic Success, Proceedings of the 2026 Conference for Industry and Education Collaboration, Feb. 2026

  • Ahn, Teaching Software Using the Interactive Tutorials-based Lab and Individual Project (ITLIP) Method, Proceedings of the 2025 Conference for Industry and Education Collaboration, Feb. 2025
  • N.K. Sundheim & J. Ahn, Effect of Project Constraints on Student Motivation and Performance in a Manufacturing Engineering Technology Program, Proceedings of the 2025 Conference for Industry and Education Collaboration, Feb. 2025
  • Ahn & N.K. Sundheim, Training to Train: Producing Graduates Capable of Training Workers, Proceedings of the 2024 Conference for Industry and Education Collaboration, Feb. 2024
  • Ahn, The Utilization of Case Study Presentations in Fluid-Thermo Courses in Manufacturing Engineering Technology, Proceedings of the 2024 Conference for Industry and Education Collaboration, Feb. 2024   
  • N.K. Sundheim & J. Ahn, Multiple Avenues for Industry Input, Proceedings of the 2023 Conference for Industry and Education Collaboration, Feb. 2023
  • J.M. Gorman, E. M. Sparrow, J. Ahn, In-line Tube-Bank Heat Exchangers: Arrays with Various Numbers of Thermally Participating Tubes, International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, Apr. 2019
  • Ahn, E. M. Sparrow, J. M. Gorman, Turbulence Intensity Effects on Heat Transfer and Fluid-flow for a Circular Cylinder in Crossflow, International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, Oct. 2017
  • Tan, E. M. Sparrow, J. M. Gorman, J. Ahn, Synergistic Experimental and Numerical Characterization of a Dry-Heat, Fluid-Warming Device, Medical Engineering and Physics, Aug. 2017 
  • Ahn, E. M. Sparrow, J. M. Gorman, W. J. Minkowycz, Investigation of Coupled Systems Consisting of Fluid Movers and Heat Exchange Devices, Numer. Heat Tr. A., Oct. 2016

Awards and Recognitions

  • Faculty Improvement Grant Award, Advanced Experimental Research in CNC Machining Processes, $10,000, St. Cloud State University, 2026
  • Saigo Excellence Funds Award, ASEE Conference for Industry and Education Collaboration, $1,000, St. Cloud State University, 2026
  • Gene Haas Scholarship Grant Award, $18,000, Gene Haas Foundation, 2025
  • 2025 Outstanding Educator Award, Minnesota State Board of Trustees   
  • Faculty Improvement Grant Award, Impact of Manufacturing Engineering Technology Student-Alumni Mentorship Programs on Student and Alumni Engagement and Academic Success, $4,737, St. Cloud State University, 2024
  • Early Career Grant Award, Study of a Cost-effective Manufacturing Process for a Prosthetic Running Blade, $7,010, St. Cloud State University, 2022
  • 2015 Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award (One person a year, $1,500), Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota, 2015
  • Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award Nominee (Three Consecutive Years), Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota, 2015-17
  • 2014 Korean-American Scientists and Engineers Association Scholarships for Graduate Students in the US, KSEA, 2014