2025 Nagib and Kalpakjian Lecture on Manufacturing by James Li: “Transcending Boundaries: Building the Autonomous Factories of the Future Through Targeted Research, Impactful Innovation, and Effective Training”

Jianzhi LiThe Nagib and Kalpakjian Annual Lecture on Manufacturing will be held on Friday, November 21, 2025, from 1:45–2:45 p.m. in the Smith-Olson Auditorium (room 131) of Perlstein Hall. We welcome James Li who will present, “Transcending Boundaries: Building the Autonomous Factories of the Future Through Targeted Research, Impactful Innovation, and Effective Training.” A reception will immediately follow in the South Lobby of Perlstein Hall.

Abstract

In this talk, Dr. James Li, Director of the America’s Additive Foundry Consortium and the UTRGV Institute for Advanced Manufacturing, will revisit key historic milestones that have shaped the evolution of manufacturing—and share his vision for the next great revolution.

Dr. Li will explore his work toward future adaptive, intelligent, and self-evolving manufacturing systems that are capable of designing, producing, and optimizing complex mobility platforms in real time. He will outline the research, innovation, and workforce training required to bring this vision to life, where factories of the future are no longer static production lines but living, learning ecosystems. Powered by AI, robotics, digital twins, and advanced materials and manufacturing, these future factories will enable the creation of drones, autonomous vehicles, and next-generation mobility systems that connect and empower our communities—redefining how we build, move, and live.

Biography

Dr. Jianzhi (James) is the inaugural director of the UTRGV Institute for Advanced Manufacturing (IAM). He also holds the President’s Endowed Professorship. Dr. Li received his Bachelor of Science degree in Automotive Engineering and Master of Science degree in Manufacturing Engineering, both from Tsinghua University, China. He received his Ph.D. in Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering from Texas Tech University. Dr. Li has more than 20 years of leadership and research experience in the areas of advanced materials, additive manufacturing, renewable energy, AI in manufacturing, and recycling and other sustainable manufacturing practices. He has eight years of industry experience, including business incubation and serving as CTO in IT industry.

As the director of UTRGV IAM, Dr. Li is leading a team of researchers who contribute to building the world-class American manufacturing base by merging engineering disciplines that, together, support excellence of Advanced Manufacturing in the Texas, the U.S. and beyond. Under his leadership in rigorous research, targeted education, and broad outreach in defense materials, energy manufacturing, and beyond, IAM became a cornerstone of manufacturing innovation, providing pivotal community support for innovation, fostering advancements that resonate with societal needs and technological progress.
Since 2019, Dr. Li has been leading a DoD funded I-DREAM4D (www.idream4d.org ), a national consortium for Innovation Driven Research/Education Ecosystem for Advanced Manufacturing for the Defense. Through research, education and exposure programs, the consortium contributed to solving the talent needs for US military and US defense manufacturing operations. Recently, Dr. Li was leading the America’s Additive Foundry Consortium (AAF) which was designated as a Defense Manufacturing Community in FY 2023 by DoD. The consortium is composed of higher education institutions, Manufacturing USA Institutes, ARL, and local governments to address casting and forging supply chain issues facing the U.S. military. AAF is the first-ever national consortium created to secure tactical alloys supply chains through establishment of technical hubs; offering certificate/training programs to members of the academic and industrial sectors; and business incubation and support for small and medium local manufacturers.

Dr. Li has maintained a distinguished scholarly record, while devoting strong efforts to developing programs that benefit the institution and the manufacturing community at large. In various roles, he has conducted research/development projects with more than $50 million in grants supported by DoD, Army, DOE, NNSA, DOL, NSF, and Texas ATP/ARP. His research also includes numerous industry projects sponsored by industry partners such as Dell, Caterpillar, EOS, GE Aerospace, Raytheon, ALPS automotive, Honeywell, and others.