Remembering Professor Ozisik
October 12, 2008

It is with great sadness to report that Dr. M. Necati Ozisik, Professor Emeritus of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at NC State, passed away on Oct. 4, 2008.

Dr. Ozisik is recognized as one of the eminent world authorities in the field of heat transfer. He made sustained and significant contributions to the advancement of the field by his use of powerful mathematical tools and his development of new methodologies for solving a wide range of heat transfer problems. Through popular undergraduate and graduate level textbooks, his contributions to excellence in heat transfer education spanned the US and the world. His monographs on the treatise of specific topics in his field have been widely used by scientists and researchers.

A native of Turkey, Dr. Ozisik earned his B.S. and Ph.D. degrees in mechanical engineering at the University of London. He came to the United Stated in 1957 after conducting heat transfer research in Turkey aimed at improving efficiency in that country's industries.

As a senior research scientist for the American Society of Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineers, he conducted solar energy research in the society's Cleveland, Ohio, laboratories that led to building design concepts that reduce solar heat gains.

At the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, Ozisik directed his research to developing heat transfer systems for use in advanced nuclear reactor concepts for power generation and for the solution of nuclear reactor safety problems.

Since joining the North Carolina State University engineering faculty in 1963, he made significant contributions to heat transfer education, research and extension. His research generated more than 200 technical papers. He also wrote thirteen textbooks and monographs which have been translated into Russian and Spanish. More than 40 doctoral candidates and 10 master's degree candidates completed their advanced education under his direction. They now hold important positions in universities, research institutions and government agencies throughout the world.

Dedicated to the belief that a strong basic education will help keep young engineers' knowledge from becoming outdated by changes in their fields, he maintained a busy teaching schedule at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Students honored him with and Outstanding Teacher Award.

Dr. Ozisik spent part of each summer abroad to maintain international contacts. He gave invited lectures and participated in joint research work with his colleagues in several countries including, among others, Switzerland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Bulgaria and Turkey.

His contributions to heat transfer research and education have been recognized by many awards. He was a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. He received the F. Bernard Hall Award from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, London; the Western Electric Fund Award from the American Society for Engineering Education; the Alcoa Foundation Engineering Research Achievement Award and the Alcoa Foundation Engineering Research Achievement Award and the Alcoa Foundation Distinguished Engineering Research Award from the NCSU School of Engineering; the Turkish Science Award from the government of Turkey; and the O. Max Gardner Award and the Holladay Medal for Excellence from the University of North Carolina system.

When presented the O. Max Gardner award, Dr. Ozisik was cited as “a world leader in the field of thermal science” and “a gifted teacher and a valued colleague who has played a major role in graduate engineering education and North Carolina State.” The Holladay medal is the highest honor bestowed on a faculty member by the Board of Trustees and the University.

Dr. Ozisik will be remembered as a kind and gentle man with a passion for teaching, research, and writing. He was a scholar of scholars and admired by all who met him.