Tsuchin “Philip” Chu, professor in the School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Materials Engineering, is the 2025 winner of the Scholar Excellence Award at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
The award recognizes and promotes outstanding research and creative endeavors and serves as a testament to the contributions of scholarship and artistic activity, which are essential to the life of the university.
Chu, director of the engineering science doctoral program, has conducted research for more than 40 years, focusing on the areas of non-destructive evaluation, biomedical engineering, experimental mechanics, additive manufacturing, and engineering application of artificial intelligence. A pioneer in digital image correlation, Chu was a faculty member at Polytechnic University in New York before he joined SIU in 1990. He has authored more than 150 peer-reviewed journal publications and conference proceedings and secured more than $3.5 million in grants from agencies and companies such as NASA, Boeing, the U.S. Air Force, IBM, Aerospce Corporation, MxV Rail and others.
“Dr. Chu is an internationally recognized scholar in mechanical engineering with a 42-year academic career, including 35 years at SIU,” said Costas Tsatsoulis, vice chancellor for research and dean of the graduate school. “He has received numerous awards for excellence.”
Get to know TSUCHIN “PHILIP” CHU.
Name: Tsuchin “Philip” Chu
Department/title: Professor in the School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Materials Engineering
Years at SIU: 35
Why did you choose SIU?
SIU offered excellent support for research, a competitive salary and a welcoming environment. The campus is beautiful, and Carbondale offered affordable housing and no traffic – an ideal place to build both a career and a life.
What is your favorite part of the job?
I enjoy working on challenging research projects, as well as mentoring junior faculty members and students. I feel especially satisfied when students express appreciation for my lectures and genuinely enjoy the learning experience.
I’m happiest when I am …
… enjoying the “Zen of BBQ” – sipping a cold beer, watching the pine trees sway in my backyard, listening to my favorite music, smelling the grill, and sharing grilled meats and veggies with my family. At work, I’m happiest when I find out that a research proposal I submitted has been awarded. It’s incredibly rewarding to see hard work pay off.
At the top of my “bucket list” is …
Going into outer space, even though it may be just a dream. But who knows? With the rise of space tourism, maybe one day…
I’ve always been fascinated by space – not just in theory, but through hands-on experience. I was a research fellow at NASA and now serve as a subject matter expert at the NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC). Being part of that world has only made the dream feel more real. Going to space would be the ultimate way to connect with that dream.
What are three things you cannot live without?
I don’t think there’s anything I truly can’t live without, except for connecting with family. If I had to choose, I’d also include curiosity, meaningful work – and maybe good coffee!
