Javier Arjona-Baez, Ph.D.

Professor, Engineering and Department Chair Office Location: Bonilla Science Hall, Room 306 Phone: (210) 805-1227

Dr. Javier Arjona Baez is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of the Incarnate Word, with nearly four decades of academic and professional experience.  He holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Rice University in Houston, Texas, an M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from the Tecnologico de Monterrey, and a B.S. in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering from Tecnologico de Monterrey.  His career includes extensive teaching, research and administrative leadership at Tecnologico de Monterrey, the Universidad de Monterrey and the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas, where he has served from 1986 to 2025 in roles ranging from Assistant Professor to Full Professor and Department Chair. His research focuses on structural optimization using finite element analysis and Eolic systems for water cleaning and desalination.

In addition to his academic work, Dr. Arjona has industry experience, including consulting for companies such as San Antonio Water System, John Deere Industries, Prolec General Electric, General Motors Assembly plant in Ramos Arizpe Mexico. He has been actively involved in SACS accreditation process at the Universidad de Monterrey, Mexico and for undergraduate engineering programs with organizations such as CACEI.  He has been recognized for his teaching excellence; he has received the “Sister Maria Goretti Zehr” for innovation at UIW. His academic activities include journal articles, international conference papers and presentations and applied research projects.

  • D., Mechanical Engineering, Rice University, Houston Texas 2000.
  • Sc., Mechanical Engineering, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Monterrey Campus, Mexico, 1985.
  • S. in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Monterrey Campus, Mexico, 1983.
  • Professor of Mechanical Engineering, School of Mathematics, Science and Engineering, University of the Incarnate Word, San Antono TX, January 2009 to date.
  • Professor, Universidad de Monterrey, Monterrey, Mexico, 2005 to 2008.
  • Professor and Chair of the Engineering Department at Universidad de Monterrey, 2001 to 2005.
  • Associate Professor, Universidad de Monterrey, Monterrey, Mexico, 2000 to 2001.
  • Teaching Assistant for the graduate courses of Finite Element Analysis and Mechanical Vibrations, Rice University, Houston Texas, 1996 to 2000.
  • Associate Professor, Universidad de Monterrey, Monterrey, Mexico, 1995 to 1996.
  • Assistant Professor, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Saltillo Campus, 1988 to 1990.
  • Assistant Professor, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Monterrey Campus, 1986 to 1988.
  • Replacing the farm windmill for the electricity production type windmill Design and construction and testing of the working model, 2020 to present.
  • Arjona, J. (2018). Eolic Water Desalination, Design Principles and Practices, ELISAVA School of Design and Engineering, Barcelona, Spain.
  • Numerical Methods for Engineers
  • Linear Programming (Optimization Theory)
  • Statistical Quality Control
  • Statics
  • Dynamics
  • Mechanical Vibrations
  • Mechanical Vibrations Lab
  • Mechanics of Materials I
  • Mechanics of Materials II
  • Mechanics of Materials Lab
  • Introduction to Mechanical Design
  • Design of Machine Elements
  • Functions and Mechanisms
  • Finite Element Analysis
  • Thermodynamics
  • Mechanics of Fluids
  • General Physics I
  • Physics I
  • Engineering Analysis (Applied Advanced Mathematics)
  • Engineering Graphics (CAD)
  • Introduction to Engineering
  • Design of Mechanisms
  • Heat Transfer
  • Structural Optimization
  • Advanced Mechanical Vibrations
  • Water desalination using Wind Energy.
  • Structural topology and shape optimization