Honoring Emeritus Professor Lawrence Yao

Abstract

Lawrence YaoLawrence YaoProfessor Lawrence Yao became emeritus in 2024 after 30 years at Columbia University, where he directs the Advanced Manufacturing Laboratory. He was the Chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University, from 2005 to 2011. Professor Yao was the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Manufacturing Science and Engineering (JMSE) for 10 years from 2012 to 2022. The March issue, “Advanced Laser Materials Processing - Honoring Professor Larry Yao”, was dedicated to celebrating the remarkable contributions of Professor Yao. Over the past decades, Dr. Yao has been a pioneering force in laser-based manufacturing and materials processing, significantly shaping our understanding of laser-matter interactions and their practical applications across diverse industries. His research on laser-assisted removal, shaping, and joining of materials, as well as property modification through laser treatments, has paved the way for the development of numerous technologies used today across industries including aerospace, biomedical, renewable energy, art restoration, as well as novel robotics applications in health care areas. His research group has published over 250 technical papers and was honored with five Best Paper awards. Professor Yao's mentorship has fostered a new generation of researchers, with his graduate students now making influential contributions in both academia and industry. Figures 1(a) and 1(b) showcase memorable group gatherings, featuring Professor Yao alongside his former students and their own students, highlighting the enduring legacy of his mentorship.