After completing his post-doc research on large-scale complex engineered systems at Iowa State University, Dr. Bryan Mesmer knew he wanted to find some place a little warmer where he could settle down and begin teaching. "Iowa last year was -40° in the winter, so that needed to change!" he says with a laugh. But in the end, the weather wasn't the only thing that drew him to UAH, where he recently joined the College of Engineering as an assistant professor in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering and Engineering Management (ISEEM). "UAH is in a city that has so many space and military companies, so the research opportunities related to that was a huge driving force that many cities didn't offer," says Dr. Mesmer. "Another is the people. Everyone here is so friendly and willing to help - not just in the community but also in the department. They genuinely want me to succeed."