Allison Beese named senior associate director of National Security Institute
Allison Beese, professor of materials science and engineering and of mechanical engineering at Penn State, has been named the senior associate director of Penn State’s new National Security Institute. She will begin her appointment on May 15.
The National Security Institute will enhance research outside the scope of Penn State’s Applied Research Laboratory (ARL), a Department of Defense-designated University Affiliate Research Center that supports all the U.S. Armed Forces and other government agencies, to address the critical current and future security challenges facing the nation and the world. Read more
MatSE alumni invited to participate in survey
As part of MatSE's continuous improvement efforts, we are obtaining feedback from alumni who completed their materials science and engineering undergraduate degree from Penn State.
The survey is only eight questions and will take one to three minutes to complete. The information collected helps to ensure the MatSE undergraduate program continues to evolve and maintain its status as one of the best in the nation.
Thank you in advance for your valuable input.
2026 Distinguished Lecture Series in Materials Science and Engineering to be held in April
The Distinguished Lecture Series in Materials Science and Engineering at Penn State will be held in April and will include two Richard E. Tressler Award Lectures in Materials and the David Ford McFarland Award Lecture for Achievement in Metallurgy. The awards honor Penn State alumni who have honorably distinguished themselves through exceptional contributions in materials science and engineering. The lectures will be from 3:05 to 4:20 p.m. in 111 Forum Building on the University Park campus. Read more
MatSE Dept. Head John Mauro, Distinguished Professor Venkatraman Gopalan, and College of EMS Dean Lee Kump
Venkat Gopalan named distinguished professor
Penn State's Office of Faculty Affairs has named Venkatraman Gopalan distinguished professor of materials science and engineering.
The distinguished professor or distinguished librarian title recognizes outstanding academic contribution to the University. This special academic title is bestowed upon a limited number of professors who are leaders in their fields of research or creative activity and who have demonstrated significant accomplishments with respect to teaching, research or creative activity, and service. Read more
From the Department Head
Dear MatSE friends and alumni,
I hope you are all doing well as the early signs of spring are bringing renewed energy after an especially cold winter season. Here at Penn State, our students, faculty, and staff have just returned from spring break refreshed and ready to take on the remainder of the semester. The final stretch of the academic year is always an exciting and productive time in the department as research continues to advance, students prepare for graduation, and we gather as a community to celebrate achievements in materials science and engineering. Read more
