Dr. Yunmei Liu served as the Industrial Engineering representative on the University of Louisville’s ad hoc robotics curriculum committee during the 2024–2025 academic year. On September 25, 2024, committee chair Dr. Dan Popa notified members of their appointment by Dean Emmanuel Collins; Dr. Liu confirmed her participation the following day.

The committee developed plans for a proposed undergraduate minor and graduate certificate in Robotics and Intelligent Systems Engineering (RISE). Bringing together electrical and computer engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science and engineering, bioengineering, and industrial engineering, the effort connected robotics, artificial intelligence, intelligent systems, and engineering applications across the J. B. Speed School of Engineering.

Aligning Courses across Disciplines

In October 2024, Dr. Liu compiled and updated an inventory of robotics-related Industrial Engineering courses for the committee’s curriculum planning. This work helped identify how existing courses could contribute to the proposed programs.

On May 13, 2025, she initiated a discussion with Industrial Engineering Department Chair Dr. Pratik Parikh about aligning departmental electives with the proposed RISE requirements. She raised the possibility of adjusting elective options or exploring cross-listed courses to reduce the additional coursework students would need to complete the programs.

This committee service reflects Dr. Liu’s commitment to interdisciplinary education and to making emerging areas of engineering accessible to students across departments.