Assad Oberai
What do cancer diagnosis, medical imaging, wildfire forecasting and aircraft turbulence have in common?
They’re all challenges addressed by Professor Assad Oberai’s Computation and Data Driven Discovery (CD3) Group, where researchers develop mathematical and computational tools to analyze and make predictions about complex systems. That way of thinking has become increasingly important across aerospace and mechanical engineering; engineers are now expected not only to design physical systems, but also to apply data-driven methods to make reliable predictions and support better decision-making.
Oberai’s new appointment as chair of USC Viterbi’s Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering (AME) is a reflection of how the department is evolving in sync with new technologies and industry priorities. His vision for the department reflects a future in which the mechanics of our engineered world – from medical implants to autonomous vehicles – depend as much on mathematical models and algorithms as on the physical systems in which they operate.
We caught up with Oberai to discuss where he sees the greatest opportunities for growth, and how his research perspective informs his vision for the department.
How would you describe AME’s position today?
Oberai: It’s fair to say that we punch above our weight. While it’s true that the size of our faculty is relatively small compared with aerospace and mechanical engineering departments at other schools, we’ve built a strong national profile through the quality and influence of our research. That’s true in fluid mechanics, solid mechanics, combustion, manufacturing, biomedical engineering and computational science. I see this as a strong foundation for growth – all the more important, given that our number of student applicants is rapidly increasing.
Where should AME be investing its efforts over the next five years?
Oberai: I would point to three priorities.
The first is aerospace engineering, where I believe we have an opportunity to build a stronger presence. The areas that are particularly compelling right now have to do with space and space technology, boosted by renewed excitement around missions to the Moon and Mars. Another is autonomy in aerospace systems – drone swarms and autonomous aerial vehicles used by emergency responders. Then there’s the advancement of hypersonics and addressing challenges associated with flying at speeds greater than five times the speed of sound. These are all fields where there is a great deal of activity, and they draw upon many of the strengths we already have in the department.
A second priority is robotics and autonomy, working across scales – from surgical microdevices, to robots with humanoid form, to advanced automated manufacturing systems. In each case, robot autonomy is intended to enhance the capabilities of the human host or collaborator, a synergetic exchange which reframes the simple distinction of “tool” and “user.”
The third is what I would call physical AI. Mechanical engineers design, analyze and build the systems in which many of the most consequential AI technologies will ultimately operate. Whether that’s a robot, an autonomous vehicle, an aircraft or a manufacturing platform, the algorithm works in concert with the physical system. This combination is a particularly exciting opportunity for our department. It builds naturally on expertise we already have in mechanics, controls, modeling and computation.
AME brings together expertise across many different topics in aerospace and mechanical engineering. What’s your take on cultivating collaboration across such a broad range of research areas?
Oberai: None of the truly challenging problems can be solved in isolation. My own research depends on collaborating with domain experts across science and engineering. Over time, that teaches you how to communicate across disciplines and appreciate different ways of thinking about a problem.
This is especially valuable in a department like AME, where the applications are incredibly diverse. Engineers in our department work on topics that include combustion, aerospace science and engineering, advanced manufacturing systems, biomedical technologies, robotics and fundamental problems in mechanics. The ability to understand what different people are trying to accomplish, and to connect them to one another, becomes very important.
As data-driven methods become more powerful, what remains important about the engineering fundamentals that AME has traditionally emphasized?
Oberai: Agentic AI and LLMs and have had a huge impact on pedagogy and curriculum – not only in AME, but in virtually every department at every university. Given that a student can now answer almost any undergraduate or graduate level question with these tools, we must reconsider what we wish to emphasize when we teach our students. What part of our curriculum is critical?
For AME, I believe that the answer is twofold. First, we are one of the few departments that teaches our students to build, test and operate machines, and these are tasks that are hard to replace with AI – at least for now. Therefore, we need to double down on these efforts. That is, equip our students with lab skills to design and build novel and useful machines and devices.
Second, we teach our students mathematical models and concepts of how the physical world behaves. This intuition is critical when working with AI tools – to catch mistakes, and to extract the most benefit from these tools. Let me give you a tennis analogy. I could purchase the racket that Rafael Nadal uses, but will I be able to play with the same results? The answer is most certainly no! It is the same with these AI tools; an engineer who has a deep understanding of the core scientific concepts will be able to do much more with them compared with someone who does not.
Where do external partnerships fit into your vision for the department?
Oberai: In terms of partnerships with Department of Energy and Department of Defense laboratories, I’d say we are in really good shape. Our faculty collaborate extensively with researchers at places like Sandia, Los Alamos, Lawrence Berkeley, the Naval Research Laboratory, the Air Force Research Laboratory and the Army Research Laboratory. We write proposals together, do research together and co-advise students.
I also see significant opportunities to expand engagement with industry. Los Angeles is one of the most important aerospace hubs in the world. We work alongside Boeing, SpaceX, Northrop Grumman, The Aerospace Corporation and many other top aerospace companies, as well as a large alumni presence in those organizations. This geographical and intellectual proximity creates opportunities for research collaborations, student engagement and long-term partnerships that can benefit both the department and the broader aerospace community.
What would success look like for AME five or ten years from now?
Oberai: I’d like AME to be recognized as an incubator of new and impactful ideas; a place for breakthrough research in aerospace technologies, robotics, energy and sustainability, biomedical innovation, advanced manufacturing, and intelligent engineered systems. It should also be a place that thoughtfully integrates AI into its curriculum, enabling our students to thrive in and help shape the emerging technological world.
Published on July 1st, 2026
Last updated on July 1st, 2026
This article may feature some AI-assisted content for clarity, consistency, and to help explore complex scientific concepts with greater depth and creative range.
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