March 4, 2026
By Tracie Troha

Two professors in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering have been selected as James R. and Sarah R. Borders Faculty Fellows in recognition of their leadership in research and contributions to advancing the School’s strategic priorities. This is the first endowed faculty fellowship of its kind in the Woodruff School’s history.

Aaron Stebner, professor and the Eugene C. Gwaltney, Jr. Chair in Manufacturing, and Aaron Young, associate professor, are the inaugural recipients of the fellowship. The endowment was established through the generosity of Woodruff School alumnus James R. “Jim” Borders, ME 1983, and his wife, Sarah, to support the recruitment and retention of exceptional faculty.

Stebner works at the intersection of manufacturing, machine learning, materials, and mechanics. He serves as co-director of the statewide coalition of more than 40 nonprofits, colleges, and universities executing projects within the Georgia AI Manufacturing (GA-AIM) technology corridor. He is also leading the project to transform the Advanced Manufacturing Pilot Facility into the Artificial Intelligence Manufacturing Pilot Facility (AIMPF).

“It is a tremendous honor to receive this recognition,” Stebner said. “The Borders Faculty Fellowship enables me to make a long-term commitment to leading the vision of the AIMPF project and advancing AI manufacturing activities across the state on behalf of Georgia AIM.”

Stebner noted that many universities and states nationwide are competing for leadership in artificial intelligence research and technology development.

“This fellowship will ensure that Tech retains its leadership where AI meets manufacturing, mechanical, and materials sciences and engineering for the foreseeable future—in research, education, and in shaping state and national policies and vision,” he said.

Young directs the Exoskeleton and Prosthetic Intelligent Controls Lab, where he develops robotic exoskeletons and intelligent control systems to improve walking function and physical capability and enhance industrial safety. Supported by federal funding, including major grants from the National Institutes of Health, his team is helping move exoskeleton technologies closer to widespread real-world use.

“Being named the Borders Faculty Fellow is an incredible honor and a meaningful affirmation of the translational vision that drives my research,” Young said. “This endowment provides both the stability and flexibility needed to invest in high‑risk, high‑reward ideas, expand collaborative clinical and engineering partnerships, and accelerate innovation in wearable robotic technology that impacts human lives. It represents a strong vote of confidence in the future direction of my work, and it will directly enhance my capacity to push the boundaries of what we can achieve.”

James Borders is the founder and chief executive officer (CEO) of Novare Group, an Atlanta-based real estate development and investment company. He has served on the Woodruff School Advisory Board, the Alexander-Tharpe Board, the Alumni Association Board of Trustees and the Georgia Tech Foundation Board of Trustees.

As the first endowment of its kind for the School, the Borders Faculty Fellowship reflects the couple’s commitment to strengthening faculty excellence and ensuring the Woodruff School continues to attract and retain leading scholars whose work drives meaningful impact in Georgia and beyond.