Specializing in automotive computational fluid dynamics, Abraham J. Salazar, MS, PhD is backed by four decades of expertise in mechanical engineering. Matriculating at Simon Bolivar University in Venezuela, he earned a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 1980 and 1986, respectively. He commenced his professional career as an assistant professor at Simon Bolivar University and adjunct associate professor at Metropolitan University through 1989, having also been a research engineer at Intevep PDVSA from 1984 to 1990. At this point, Dr. Salazar went on to attain a Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Kentucky in 1998.  

Dr. Salazar built a prolific career in the mechanical engineering department at the University of Kentucky from 1991 to 2012, where he served in a variety of roles, including as an associate research professor, an assistant director and co-founder, an assistant research professor, a senior research engineer associate, a post-doctoral scholar, a graduate research assistant, a consultant and a teaching assistant. During this time, he was also active as an assistant director and co-founder of the painting technology consortium at the University of Kentucky from 2000 until 2012.

Since 2020, Dr. Salazar has excelled as a senior manager of research and development for Giffin Inc., a company that provides automotive equipment to automakers. Located in Auburn Hills, Michigan, he previously served the company as a manager of research and development from 2012 to 2021. For his contribution to Giffin Inc., Dr. Salazar received the Automotive News PACE Award for ELITE Wet Scrubbing Technology in 2017. Notably, he has authored one book, several book chapters, 80 peer-review technical papers and developed 15 patents nationally and internationally.

Among his various accomplishments, Dr. Salazar is particularly proud to be among the first four recipients selected among numerous candidates for the National Council for Scientific and Technological Research master’s sponsorship program at the Simon Bolivar University in Venezuela. Dedicated to civic advocacy as well, he is actively involved in mentoring young professionals and contributing to charity foundations through his missionary work at his local church. He attributes much of his success to God, his ethical practices and principles and his perseverance as an immigrant. He also credits the mentorship of Dr. James McDonough and the examples of his father.