Kettering University has announced the promotion and tenure of four faculty members in recognition of their contributions to teaching, research, scholarship, service, and academic leadership.
Dr. Javad Baqersad has been promoted to the rank of Professor.
Dr. Jennifer Bastiaan '97 has been promoted to the rank of Professor.
Dr. Jamal Alhiyafi has been promoted to the rank of Associate Professor with tenure.
Dr. Lisa Gandy has been granted tenure.
Dr. Javad Baqersad
Baqersad, Interim Department Head of Mechanical Engineering, has established a distinguished record of research in structural dynamics, vibration and acoustics, experimental mechanics, and optical measurement techniques.
His research explores areas including experimental structural dynamics, modal analysis, photogrammetry, digital image correlation, structural health monitoring, and noise and vibration, with applications relevant to the automotive industry and emerging electric vehicle technologies.
Baqersad's contributions to experimental structural dynamics have earned national recognition. In 2025, he became the inaugural recipient of the D.L. Brown Award from the Society for Experimental Mechanics, recognizing outstanding research in experimental structural dynamics. He also received the SAE Ralph R. Teetor Educational Award in 2023.
His work at Kettering extends beyond research to industry collaboration and student education. Through his leadership and scholarship, Baqersad has helped advance research that connects fundamental engineering principles with complex, real-world challenges in mobility, vehicle systems, and emerging technologies.
Baqersad earned a bachelor's degree from Yazd University in Iran, a master's degree from Iran University of Science and Technology, and a master's degree and Ph.D. from the University of Massachusetts.
Dr. Jennifer Bastiaan '97
Bastiaan's career reflects the connection between professional practice, technical innovation, and experiential education that has long defined Kettering University.
A graduate of GMI Engineering & Management Institute, now Kettering University, Bastiaan began her career as a Co-op student at Roush Industries, where she spent two decades contributing to engineering programs ranging from iconic American sports cars and military vehicles to finite-element stress and strain analysis of amusement park rides.
She later returned to her alma mater as a Mechanical Engineering faculty member, bringing extensive industry experience to her teaching, research, and mentorship. Her research spans tire mechanics, non-contact vibration measurement, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), and artificial intelligence, with her work disseminated through 85 journal articles, technical papers, conference presentations, and invited talks. Her research includes National Science Foundation-supported work advancing non-contact methods for studying rotating tires and studies conducted with the Specialty Equipment Market Association examining ADAS functionality in modified vehicles. The latter found that typical aftermarket suspension modifications did not significantly alter original equipment ADAS functionality in the vehicles studied, providing information not previously available in the public domain. She presented the work as part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Technical Lecture Series in 2026.
As faculty advisor to Kettering's Formula SAE Internal Combustion and Electric teams, Bastiaan mentors students in technical engineering, vehicle dynamics, project management, and teamwork. Under her mentorship, the teams have earned two top-10 Formula SAE finishes in the past five years, with graduating team members achieving a 100% placement rate with leading industry employers.
A longtime contributor to SAE International, Bastiaan has organized conferences and technical sessions, chaired committees, contributed to standards development, and served the profession in numerous capacities. She has received seven SAE honors for her service, scholarship, and teaching, including the Forest R. McFarland Award, Arch T. Colwell Merit Award, and Ralph R. Teetor Educational Award.
Bastiaan earned her bachelor's degree from GMI Engineering & Management Institute and her Ph.D. from the University of Waterloo.
Dr. Jamal Alhiyafi
Alhiyafi, a faculty member in Kettering University's Department of Computer Science, has developed a research portfolio spanning machine learning, data mining, artificial intelligence, and health informatics.
His scholarship includes research exploring the use of machine learning and computational intelligence in medical applications.
Through his teaching and scholarship, Alhiyafi contributes to Kettering's growing work in artificial intelligence and computer science, fields that are increasingly shaping industries ranging from mobility and manufacturing to health care and other technology-driven sectors.
His promotion to Associate Professor and the granting of tenure recognize his contributions to scholarship, teaching, and service to the University.
Alhiyafi earned bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Michigan-Dearborn and a Ph.D. from Wayne State University.
Dr. Lisa Gandy
Gandy, Associate Professor and Interim Department Head of Computer Science, has built an interdisciplinary research portfolio spanning artificial intelligence, natural language processing, text mining, and data-driven analysis.
Her work demonstrates the potential of computer science to address challenges across disciplines by applying computational methods to social media, public health, and medical research.
In 2024, Gandy contributed to research published in the journal "Cancer Cell" examining the migration of women medical researchers from academic careers. Her broader research interests include natural language processing and text mining, and she has explored the use of large language models in medical technology.
In addition to her research and teaching, Gandy serves as Interim Department Head of Computer Science, providing academic leadership at a time of continued growth and rapid advancement in artificial intelligence and computing.
Before joining Kettering, Gandy served as a faculty member at Central Michigan University, where she was an Assistant Professor and later an Associate Professor and served as department chair.
Gandy earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Southern Mississippi, a master's degree from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, and a Ph.D. from Northwestern University.
The promotions and tenure recognize the faculty members' sustained contributions to their respective fields and their commitment to advancing Kettering University's academic mission through innovative research, experiential education, and student engagement.
