Michael Gollner is a triple-alumnus of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) at UC San Diego, earning his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering. He now serves as an Associate Professor and Deb Faculty Fellow in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at UC Berkeley, with research focused on fire science—including combustion, fluid dynamics, fire spread, material flammability, and smoke transport.
Inspired by the experiences of recent alumni, Gollner began his studies at UC San Diego in physics—until an MAE academic advisor steered him toward mechanical engineering, where he found the hands-on learning he craved.
“I took MAE 3, where we built robots and learned the basics of design, and MAE 105, where the physics and math I’d learned connected to real engineering systems—just in my first semester. I got hooked on mechanical engineering for life,” Gollner said.
After switching majors, Gollner spent almost a decade in San Diego during his studies. The balance between the relaxed San Diego culture and the dedicated focus on research created a perfect combination for both learning and enjoyment.
“People were kind and encouraging, yet devoted to rigorous engineering,” Gollner said.
Discovering a Passion for Research
An experience that changed the trajectory of Gollner’s career was the opportunity to participate in undergraduate research. Working alongside Professor Steve Buckley, he explored biodiesel combustion with graduate students. Though new and inexperienced, Gollner brought enthusiasm to the lab—and discovered a passion for combustion research.
Another moment of insight came during a UC San Diego Engineering job fair, where he met a University of Maryland alum working in fire protection engineering. That conversation opened Gollner’s eyes to exciting possibilities in the field. It led to an internship and eventually inspired a master’s project on warehouse fire safety with MAE Professor Emeritus Forman A. Williams. Ultimately, Gollner chose to pursue a Ph.D. instead of entering industry—driven by his growing love for research and teaching.
Training for Professorship
The spark ignited by research soon guided Gollner into a new phase of his journey—training for life as a professor.
“I think success in academia requires every faculty member to find their balance of research, teaching, and service while constantly generating new ideas and vigorously pursuing them. During my graduate program, the lack of funding in the fire research field forced me to develop new ideas and find ways to support my work—perfect training for academic life,” Gollner said.
As a graduate student, Gollner served as a teaching assistant for nine different courses, gaining exposure to a wide range of teaching styles and classroom settings. He also volunteered for campus-wide and discipline-specific committees, gaining firsthand experience in how academia operates while building a strong professional network.
“Practicing the academic ‘juggle’ early on—and having the support to be successful with it—was an invaluable training experience!” Gollner said.
He fondly recalls courses with Professor Keiko Nomura in fluid dynamics and thermodynamics, describing them as incredibly detailed and thoughtfully organized. Today, he brings that same level of thoughtfulness into his own course planning.
“I still look back at my notes from many undergraduate and graduate courses—now that I teach them myself,” he said.
A Supportive Community, Then and Now
Gollner’s time at UC San Diego didn’t just shape his research—it also left a lasting personal and professional impact. He emphasized the support he received from the UC San Diego community during his time as a student.
“I always felt supported by faculty and staff. Most of all, my advisor, Professor Williams, was an amazing mentor—both personally and in research. He was extremely generous with his time, and his scientific advice always pushed me to dig deeper into the problems I was solving,” he said.
Gollner also built strong connections with many other faculty members.
“When I had questions on research, job applications, or anything else, I could knock on doors and get sound advice. Professors Coimbra, Seshadri, Lasheras, Llewellyn Smith, Nesterenko, Kleissl, and many more offered their support during and after graduation,” he recalled.
Likewise, Gollner developed close relationships with MAE staff and kept in touch long after graduating. He remembers stopping by the advising office for help navigating tricky classroom dynamics—conversations that prepared him for similar situations as a future instructor. He also worked closely with lab staff and met his future wife, Agnieszka Cieplak, at UC San Diego.
Today, Gollner stays connected with MAE alumni and even shared a grant with a former classmate.
“Studying at UC San Diego was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. There are pros to both large and small institutions, but during my nine years at UC San Diego, I got the best of both worlds: the resources of a large research university and the personal connections of a close-knit department,” Gollner said.
