Dr. Adam Dempsey is currently an Associate Professor at Marquette University in the Mechanical Engineering Department. Prior to joining Marquette, he was a Senior Research Engineer at Caterpillar Inc. and a postdoctoral researcher at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Dr. Dempsey received his Bachelors and Masters in Mechanical Engineering from Bradley University and his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2013.
His research interests are focused on sustainable, clean energy research – specifically low carbon renewable fuels for engines. The most pragmatic way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from engines is by using alternative, low carbon fuels. Dr. Dempsey’s research focuses on developing advanced engine combustion strategies that allow the use of low carbon fuels, such as alcohols, natural gas, ammonia, and hydrogen in heavy-duty engines in place of fossil diesel fuel, while maintaining or improving engine performance characteristics.
In January 2026, Dr. Dempsey will join the mechanical engineering faculty at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the Engine Research Center. There he will continue his research on advanced engine combustion strategies for clean burning alternative fuels.
