Picture of Dr. Daniel J. Fonseca

Associate Professor, Senior Design Projects Coordinator

Mechanical Engineering

1022 NERC
 (205) 348-3337
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Education

  • Ph.D., Engineering Science, Louisiana State University, 1998
  • M.S., Engineering Science, Louisiana State University, 1997
  • M.S., Industrial Engineering, University of Alabama, 1994
  • B.S., Industrial Engineering, University of Alabama, 1992

Biography

Dr. Dan Fonseca is an associate professor and senior design project coordinator in the department of mechanical engineering. His research interests include manufacturing systems and processes, systems simulation, industrial maintenance, intelligent systems, transportation systems, and knowledge engineering. He has participated in numerous research projects dealing with the implementation of innovative technologies to a wide variety of engineering applications.

Prior to joining the faculty of The University of Alabama, Fonseca worked as a professor and industrial consultant at the Monterrey Institute of Technology in Mexico. He also served as an engineering consultant in the design and improvement of manufacturing and service systems in medium to large-scale companies in Mexico City and Tampico, and briefly served as industrial sales manager for Kimberly-Clark Corporation.

During the last 20 years, Fonseca’s work has been supported by private and public institutions such as the National Science Foundation, NASA, U.S. Department of Education, Alabama Department of Transportation, Mercedes Benz U.S. International, and BASF, among others.

Honors and Awards

  • Fellow and Inaugural Member of the Engineering Teaching Academy, 2007-2009
  • Recognized as a Stellar Faculty by the Dean’s Office, Capstone Engineer, Fall 2008 and Fall 2009
  • 1999-2000 Faculty Recognition Award, Engineering Student Association, Monterrey Institute of Technology, Campus Tampico, Mexico, 2000
  • NASA Tech Brief Award: Design of an Integrated Hybrid System Architecture for Risk Analysis Applications, NASA, 2008
  • IIE Outstanding Faculty Member, University of Alabama, 1998-1999, 2001-2002, 2004-2005, 2009-2010

 

Areas of Research

Latest Publications

  • Moynihan, G.P., and Fonseca, D.J., “Contraflow Evacuation E-Planning System for I-65 in Alabama,” Electronic Government, An International Journal. Vol. 12, No. 1, 2016. pp.47-65.
  • Moynihan, G.P., and Fonseca, D.J., “Design of an Evacuation Demand Forecasting Module for Hurricane Planning Applications.” Journal of Transportation Technologies. Vol. 6, 2016. pp. 257-276.
  • Fonseca, D.J. and Zavala, D. “Logistical Best Practices: Assessing Their Impact on Corporate Performance.” Journal of Research in Mechanical Engineering. Vol. 3, Issue 2, 2016. pp. 13-23.
  • Fonseca, D.J., McKinley, R.C., Boykin, K., Houser, R., and Nikles, D., “Development of a Nanoscience Undergraduate Curriculum: Exploring the Societal and Ethical Implications.” Journal of Management and Engineering Integration, Vol. 10, No. 2. Winter 2017. pp. 36-44.
  • Al-Zarrad, M.A., and Fonseca, D.J., “A New Model to Optimize Project Time-Cost Trade-Off in Uncertain Environment,” in Operation Management, Gary Moynihan (Editor). © 2018 InTechOpen. ISBN 978-1-78923-311-7. pp. 95-112.