Dr. Min Zou is a Distinguished Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Arkansas (UA) and holds the Twenty-First Century Endowed Chair of Materials, Manufacturing, & Integrated Systems. She directs the statewide Center for Advanced Surface Engineering (CASE) and the Nano Mechanics and Tribology Laboratory (NMTL) at the UA. Her group’s research focuses on nanoscale surface engineering, nanomechanics, and tribology for a wide range of applications. Dr. Zou’s research contributions have been recognized with three Al Sonntag Awards in 2023, 2021, and 2013, respectively, the Edmond E. Bisson Award in 2019, and the Walter D. Hodson Award in 2001 from the Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (STLE). She is the UA recipient of the 2023 Southeastern Conference (SEC) Faculty Achievement Award, the Faculty Distinguished Achievement Award for Research from the Arkansas Alumni Association in 2018, the CAREER Award from National Science Foundation in 2007, the Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award from the Oakridge Associated Universities in 2005, and the Science and Technology Advancement Award from the Ministry of Aeronautics and Aerospace of China in 1993. Dr. Zou is a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), the STLE, and the Arkansas Research Alliance. She served as a member of the STLE Board of Directors (2016-2022) and served as Chair of the STLE Annual Meeting Program Committee for 2020 and 2021.