Faculty Directory

Gomez, Romel

Gomez, Romel

Professor
Keystone Professor
Electrical and Computer Engineering
2313 A.V. Williams Building
Website(s):

BACKGROUND

 

Dr. R.D. (Mel) Gomez is a Professor and Associate Chair for Undergraduate Education of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Maryland, College Park. He obtained his Ph.D. in Condensed Matter Physics from the Univ. of Maryland, M.S. degree from Wayne State University in Experimental Atomic Physics and B.S. degree from the University of the Philippines. He co-authored more than 100 scientific publications, including several book chapters and three US patents in the general area of nanotechnology.

Apart from research, he teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in quantum theory, electromagnetic theory, magnetism, electronic circuits and engineering design. As Associate Chair, he has implemented significant changes in the EE and CpE programs to modernize the curricula to better prepare students for jobs in the industry and graduate careers. He is a proponent of ‘hands-on’ education, and has spearheaded the development of several training laboratories in the department. He is also leading an effort to develop EE programs in Southern Maryland and at the Universities at Shady Grove.

Dr. Gomez has been active in the international community in various roles such as the General Chair of the IEEE Intermag Conference in 2005, the Chair of the Technical Committee of the Magnetics Society in 2004-2007 and an Editorial Board Member of the IEEE Transactions in Magnetics in 2000-2004, president and board member Philippine American Academy of Scientists and Engineers. He has served as consultants to several agencies including the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden. He is also actively engaged in programs that benefit the Philippines, and has founded a program known as VISSER (Versatile Instrumentation System for Science Education and Research) to promote sophisticated yet cost effective instruments for K-12 students.
 

 

HONORS AND AWARDS

 

  • National Academy of Science and Technology of the Philippines (2019)
  • Clark School of Engineering Poole and Kent Teaching Award for Senior Faculty (2019)  
  • Clark School of Engineering Faculty Service Award (2014)
  • Clark School of Engineering E. Robert Kent Outstanding Teaching Award (2005)
  • Recognized as Influential Educator, Celebrating Teachers Program of University of Maryland's Center for Teaching Excellence (2001)
  • NSF CAREER Award (2000)
  • ECE Department George Corcoran Faculty Award (1998)
  • Member of the IEEE Transaction of Magnetics Editorial Board

 

 

Prof. Gomez's research interests lie in the broad areas of magnetism, nanotechnology and biochemical detection with emphasis on the phenomena and processes at the atomic and molecular length scales. He directs a modest group of postdoctoral associates and students who seek to understand and exploit novel quantum effects that manifest themselves at reduced dimensions and size, with applications in magnetism and spin-polarized transport at the molecular length scales, and biomolecular sensing.  He is currently working on ways to more efficiently detect the genetic signatures of cells and pathogens, and his team’s most recent patent in 2011 is a method to detect genes using carbon nanotube transistor arrays.

Team Autocycle Wins Gemstone Honors Program Outstanding Team of the Year Award

Faculty mentor, Professor Romel Gomez, honored with the Outstanding Mentor Award.

ECE’s Embedded Systems and Internet of Things Program launches into its first year

The ESIOT Program is a two-year program intended for transfer students in Maryland.

Nicole Mogul Receives A. James Clark School Outstanding Faculty Service Award

The selection committee selected Mogul as being one of the most innovative educators in the Clark School.

Revolutionize the Commute: Electric Bicycle

For the past three years, Professor Gomez has challenged students to push the laws of physics and the limits of technology in his electric bicycle capstone course.

Seven Clark School student teams build E-bikes that can travel 125 miles on a single charge – powering past the current range on the market

Clark School engineers compete in 125-Mile EBikes! Design Competition to test the limits of electric bicycles and to celebrate 125 years of engineering at Maryland.

Behtash Babadi Wins Clark School's Junior Faculty Teaching Award

The Clark School gives this award to a junior faculty member for excellence in teaching.

Gomez Inducted into the National Academy of Science and Technology of the Philippines

The award is given annually to scientists who have excelled in their contributions to science, particularly in areas beneficial to Philippine science.

Gomez selected as Poole and Kent Senior Faculty Teaching Award Recipient

This award is bestowed annually to faculty members who have provided remarkable contributions to the field of teaching.

Clark School Freshmen Compete in Hovercraft Competition

ENES100 students build autonomous hovercrafts for final exam.

Spring Debut for New Gen Ed Courses

Classes available on engineering and medicine, developing world and natural disasters.

Three New Keystone Professors Selected

Ehrman, Gomez and Duncan join the Clark School Academy of Distinguished Professors.

Speaker To Graduates: Energy is an Opportunity for all Engineers

The Clark School's fall commencement ceremonies took place on December 22 in the university's Cole Student Activities Building.