Diane L. Peters, Ph.D., P.E., F.SWE, earned a B.S. in mechanical engineering at the University of Notre Dame and began a career in industry. She completed an M.S. in mechanical engineering at the University of Illinois Chicago and thereafter began teaching as an adjunct faculty member at Oakton College. She eventually returned to school full time, earning a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering at the University of Michigan.

Subsequently, Dr. Peters taught part time at Eastern Michigan University, worked as a senior control systems engineer for LMS International, and then accepted a position at Kettering University in Flint, Michigan. She is a tenured associate professor of mechanical engineering at Kettering, teaching a broad range of courses in dynamic systems and advising several student organizations, including the Society of Women Engineers, Tau Beta Pi, Pi Tau Sigma, and the Society of Automotive Engineers AutoDrive Challenge team.

As a mentor, Dr. Peters is sought-after by both colleagues and students. As a research professor, she engages in technical and academically focused projects. She is recognized for her technical expertise and applied research in control theory, especially as it applies to autonomous vehicles. She holds two U.S. patents from her industry and academic career phases. Dr. Peters regularly disseminates engineering education applied research in curriculum development and actively includes undergraduate and graduate students in her research projects.

Dr. Peters has authored more than 90 research publications, including conference and journal articles. She has received more than $1 million in external funding, including several awards from the National Science Foundation and a mix of industry-sponsored projects.

A SWE life member since 2000 and a SWE Fellow since 2016, she has held many positions at the section, region, and Society level, including service as members at large president, a member of the conference advisory board and nominating committee, a member of the SWE Research Advisory Council, and chair of various Society-level committees.

Dr. Peters is a member of SAE International, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and the American Society for Engineering Education, and is a senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. She holds professional engineer licenses in Michigan and Illinois.

Dr. Peters is a past recipient of SWE’s Distinguished New Engineer award (2002), Outstanding Faculty Advisor award (2017), and Patent Recognition (2020, 2021). She has also received the SAE International Ralph R. Teetor Award and J. Cordell Breed Award for Women Leaders.

Active in her community, Dr. Peters has presented on autonomous vehicles to many insurance industry organizations, several Rotary clubs, and the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research Development and Engineering Center.

She resides in Flint, Michigan, with her two dogs.