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Michael J. Mankosa

Michael J. Mankosa

B.S., Mining and Minerals Engineering, 1984 

M.S., Mining and Minerals Engineering, 1986

Ph.D., Mining and Minerals Engineering, 1990

Induction year: 2025

The late nights Mike Mankosa spent in the lab as a graduate student working on the design, instrumentation, and control of minerals processing equipment may have been exhausting, but they paid off. Not only did Mankosa pursue a successful career in research and development, rising to executive vice president of global technology at Eriez, but he’s still in touch with his long-ago lab mates. “Most of those friendships are still in place and regularly enjoyed 35 years later,” he said.

Mankosa knew he wanted to study engineering in college, but it was pure luck that he ended up at Virginia Tech. His mother insisted on touring campus in 1978 while en route to summer vacation in Myrtle Beach. “One visit to campus was all it took to be convinced,” he said. Graduate school in mining and minerals engineering fostered his natural inventiveness, and with 70 patents to his name, Mankosa was selected to the National Academy of Engineering in 2018. “This global recognition by my peers was the ultimate achievement in my career,” he said. 

Professional roles:

  • Executive Vice President, Global Technology, Eriez Magnetics, 2014-Present
  • Vice President of Operations, Eriez Magnetics, 2003-2014
  • Director, Research and Development/ Engineering Services, Eriez Magnetics, 2000-2003
  • Manager, Technology Development, Eriez Magnetics, 1997-2000
  • Technical Director, Carpo, Inc., 1995-1997
  • Manager, Research and Development, Carpo, Inc., 1993-1995

Boards and committees:

  • Advisory Board, Department of Mining and Minerals Engineering, Virginia Tech, Member, 2008-2018, and Chair, 2015-2018
  • Board of Visitors, Behrend School of Engineering, Penn State University, Member, 2006-2012, and Chair, 2009-2012
  • Board, Junior Achievement of Northwest Pennsylvania, Member, 2012-2020, and Committee Chairman, 2013-2020
  • Board, Greater Erie Area Habitat for Humanity, Member, 2012-2019 and Committee Chairman, 2014-2019
  • Board, Erie Manufacturer and Business Association, Member, 2015-2021, and Chairman, 2019

Awards and honors:

  • 70 Patents obtained for U.S. and international equipment and processes 
  • 115 Publications in scientific and technical journals 
  • 15 Funded research projects; $2 million awarded 
  • Robert E. Murray Innovation Award, Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration, 2024 
  • Robert H. Richard Award, Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration/ The American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers, 2021 
  • National Academy of Engineering, Member, 2018 
  • Frank F. Aplan Award, Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration/ The American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers, 2014 
  • Alumni of the Year, Department of Mining and Minerals Engineering, Virginia Tech, 2013 
  • Outstanding Young Engineering Award, Metallurgical Processing Division, Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration, 1994

Who influenced you during your career and/or time at Virginia Tech?

Dr. Greg Adel and Dr. Jerry Luttrell - both professors at Virginia Tech. Both of these gentlemen were exceptional teachers, researchers and friends who supported and directed my efforts along the way in graduate school. Their knowledge and support had a tremendous influence on my career. My accomplishments are a direct result of them being a part of my professional development and education.

What’s one of your favorite memories from Virginia Tech?

The friendships developed working late nights in the lab as a graduate student to change the world!! Most of the friendships are still in place and regularly enjoyed 35 years later.

What was the moment in your career that you felt like you made it – that you were really proud of yourself for what you had accomplished?

I was fortunate enough to be selected to the National Academy of Engineering in 2018. This global recognition by my peers was the ultimate achievement in my career. My contributions to further the state-of-the-art of mineral processing were recognized by well-known industry experts who have excelled at new product/process development for decades.

What advice would you share with your younger self just starting off in your career?

Learn how to communicate at a high level both verbally and in writing. What you say and what you write are often the only impression that people will have of you. Make sure you do it well as there is only one chance to make a first impression.

Please note: Inductee spotlight is as of the year of their induction.