Administrator

MatSE and Engineering Science and Mechanics (ESM) are invite your company/organization to interact with undergraduate and graduate students at our annual fair career fair from 6:00- 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 16, 2025 at the Steidle Building at the Penn State University Park campus held in conjunction with University Career Days. Please use the form below to RSVP for your company/organization. If you have any questions, please email events@matse.psu.edu.

We look forward to your upcoming engagement to speaker at Penn State. Please fill out all information below. If you need to leave an area blank for now, please complete the information you can. Emailing the additional information when available to marcom@matse.psu.edu and events@matse.psu.edu.

Watch full interview on YouTube

From physics to jet engines: NASA engineer Jamesa Stokes reflects on her materials science journey at Penn State

For first-year MatSE student Tessa Ternullo the chance to virtually interview Jamesa Stokes, Ph.D.—a NASA engineer and Penn State alumna—was more than just an interview; it was an inspiring glimpse into a future of possibilities. Ternullo had the opportunity to ask questions, hear career insights, and learn directly from someone who, not too long ago, stood where she now stands. Their conversation revealed not only the depth of Stokes’ work in extreme-environment materials, but also the power of mentorship, curiosity, and perseverance. 

When Stokes began her academic journey at Auburn University she was a studio arts major with a passion for science. It was her passion that eventually led her to change majors and study physics as an undergraduate. While she ultimately shifted her academic focus, her love of art remains a meaningful part of her life, now something she enjoys purely for the joy it brings.

 “When I became a physics major, I didn’t necessarily know what I wanted my career to be,” said Stokes. “But I thought physics would be a good foundation—and from there, materials science really clicked with me.” 

The interdisciplinary nature of materials science drew her in. “I like that materials science is everywhere. You can focus on chemistry, mechanical properties, physics, and engineering. It’s all interconnected, and that’s what makes it exciting.” 

After earning her undergraduate degree in 2014, Stokes came to Penn State for graduate school, where she worked under the guidance of Douglas Wolfe, professor of materials science and engineering who now also serves as associate vice president for research and director of strategic initiatives in the Office of the Senior Vice President for Research. She earned her doctorate in materials science and engineering in 2019. 

Her research focused on thermal and environmental barrier coatings (TEBCs) for commercial jet engines—critical materials that protect turbine components from high temperatures and foreign particle damage during flight. Specifically, she studied how materials interact with sand and dust ingested into jet engines; a problem especially relevant for aircraft operating in desert environments. 

“Imagine an engine running at over 1,000 degrees Celsius, and then ingesting sand,” said Stokes. “That sand melts, hits the coating, and can cause serious degradation. My research looked at how to design materials that could withstand that kind of harsh interaction.” 

Career Advice

Ternullo asked Stokes how she navigated the transition from physics to a highly applied engineering field. Stokes shared that mentorship played a critical role in her development. “Dr. Wolfe gave me the space to explore my ideas and grow. Having that mentorship and support was everything.” 

As their conversation unfolded, Stokes also reflected on the importance of curiosity and adaptability in shaping her career. “I didn’t come into graduate school knowing exactly what I wanted to do long-term,” she said. “But I kept following what interested me and tried to stay open to new opportunities.” 

Stokes’ advice to undergraduates? Explore widely and don’t be afraid to pivot. “Get involved in research early. Even if it’s not exactly what you think you want to do, it can open doors,” she said. “Sometimes you find your passion by trying something unexpected.” 

Another valuable lesson Stokes learned in graduate school was the importance of clearly communicating science—not just to fellow researchers, but also to non-scientific audiences. “One thing I’ve learned is how important it is to communicate your work to different audiences,” Stokes noted. “Whether you’re talking to other scientists, engineers, or the public, it’s important to make your work accessible and relatable.” 

For Ternullo, the conversation offered not just career insights, but encouragement. “It’s so reassuring to hear that you didn’t have it all figured out at the beginning,” they said. “As someone just starting out, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.” 

Stokes offered Ternullo reassurance. “You don’t have to have everything planned out. Just take the next step and stay curious. Things will come together with time and effort.” 

Now working as a materials research engineer at NASA Glenn Research Center, Stokes applies her expertise in extreme-environment materials to challenges that range from aeronautics to space exploration. She credits her time at Penn State with giving her the technical foundation and confidence to pursue high-impact work. “Penn State gave me the research experience and mentorship that helped me believe I could work on these big problems.” 

As the conversation wrapped up, Stokes left students with a final piece of advice: “Don’t underestimate yourself. You belong here. Keep going, even when it’s hard—you’re learning and growing every step of the way.” 

Editor’s note: Student/alumni interviews are part of a broader initiative by the department to foster student-alumni connections and highlight the diverse paths a degree in materials science can lead to. Through these exchanges, students gain not only technical perspective, but a glimpse into the lives of engineers and scientists who started where they are today.

MatSE recognized exceptional students, faculty, staff, and alumni for their academic excellence, service, and leadership during its annual Spring Awards Banquet, held on April 9. 

“It’s the people of MatSE that make this department a success,” said Susan Sinnott, professor and head of MatSE. “We are very fortunate to be able to honor so many of our students, faculty, staff, and alumni for their contributions with awards that are made possible by our generous donors.”

This year’s banquet was made possible through a partnership between MatSE and the Chapter of Material Advantage (MA) at Penn State. Undergraduate students from MA who helped organize and plan the event were led by Kaitlyn Zajkowski, Adam Levedakis, and Max Herbst. Other undergraduate student committee members included Fatimah Alheji, Ayden Caulder, Tej Chirag, Tara France, Alexis Michalski, Daisy van Pelt, Irena Potochny, and Lauren Toro. The banquet was sponsored by MA and the Friends of MatSE program which includes MatSE industry partners Arkema, ATI, EXpressLo LLC, and PES. 

During the awards program, a special presentation was made by the Pittsburgh Section of the American Ceramic Society to David Jackson, undergraduate student. Jackson was the recipient of the J. Earl Frazier Memorial Scholarship, which honors the incredible life and career of the late Frazier.

MatSE awards

MatSE Alumnus of the Year Award
This award is given to an outstanding alumnus or alumna for exceptional contributions. This year’s recipient was Jon-Paul Maria, professor of materials science and engineering at Penn State.

A proud Penn State graduate, Maria earned his bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in materials science and engineering before launching a distinguished career at North Carolina State University, where he advanced the field through innovations in by growing novel materials using physical vapor deposition, ceramic synthesis by powder processing, and material characterization. Upon returning to Penn State, Maria led the successful synthesis of the first high-entropy oxide material, J14, which now anchors a major interdisciplinary research effort at the National Science Foundation-supported Materials Research Science and Engineering Center at Penn State . His groundbreaking work has earned him numerous honors, including the Ferroelectric Materials and Their Applications International Award from the Dielectric Society of Japan, the Penn State Faculty Scholar Medal in Engineering, and, most recently, the Penn State Paul F. Robertson Award for Research Breakthrough of the Year from the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences.

Outstanding Safety Award

MatSE is a leader in safety at Penn State due to everyone doing their part. This award recognizes an undergraduate or graduate student who has gone above-and-beyond the high standards set by the department. This year’s recipient was Agatha O’Connell, graduate student.

O’Connell has been a laboratory safety manager for more than two years and is Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) certified through Penn State’s Environmental Health Services’ ten-hour course, she has consistently promoted high safety standards and raised awareness among lab members. O’Connell actively addresses overlooked issues like cluttered spaces and unclear labeling, proposes effective solutions, and responds promptly to incidents and near-misses. Her contributions include streamlining onboarding records, updating equipment hazard assessment tool (HAT) forms and standard operating procedures (SOPs), and creating key safety resources, such as a lab etiquette guide and needle safety documents. Always proactive, O’Connell asks critical safety questions, reports concerns, and collaborates with others to improve practices. Her efforts have made a lasting impact on creating a safer, more organized research environment in the Steidle Building.

MatSE Faculty Member of the Year 
This award honors a faculty member who demonstrates excellence in teaching, research, advising, or outreach. Recipients are selected by the student advisory committee based on student nominations. This year’s award recipient was Stephanie Law, associate professor. A dedicated educator, Law fosters a safe and engaging classroom environment and goes above and beyond to ensure students grasp course material. Outside the classroom, she spearheaded the MatSE graduate student mentor program which has been a major success, fostering meaningful and supportive mentor–mentee relationships within the department.

Staff Excellence Award 
This award recognizes staff members who exhibit at least one of the following: excellent job skills, knowledge of departmental goals, ability to motivate others, creative problem-solving skills, takes a leadership role, dependable and efficient, professional demeanor, positive attitude, enthusiastic and dedicated in carrying out duties, cooperative and courteous interaction with others, good supervisory skills. This year’s recipients were Meg Abplanalp, academic adviser and recruiter, Hayley Barnes, academic program coordinator, and Sue Hyde, graduate program coordinator. 

Time and time again, Abplanalp demonstrates her dedication and passion for her work. One student nominator wrote that they are “eternally grateful” to Abplanalp who “really changed (their) life” and that she is the reason so many students choose MatSE.

Barnes’ commitment to customer service, her positive attitude, and her upbeat demeanor has changed the MatSE atmosphere for the better. She is always the first one willing to help…with a smile on her face.

 "I have truly enjoyed working with Sue over the years. She always smiles no matter how challenging the situation,” wrote one faculty nominator. Another wrote that that Hyde’s “careful, methodical approach has been essential for identifying and solving issues.” Hyde is known to be dependable, rigorous, and professional with her work.

Dr. David Green Materials Faculty Service Award
Established to enrich MatSE by recognizing a faculty member who has performed outstanding service work and provide support to faculty to further their contributions in teaching, research, and public service in MatSE. This year’s award recipient was Nathan Smith, assistant research professor. His extensive service includes ensuring laboratory safety and maintaining equipment in the educational labs of the Steidle Building. The award funds will support instruction in MATSE 201.

Undergraduate awards

George W. Brindley Award in Nonmetallic Crystal Chemistry
The purpose of this award is to recognize annually the top academic student in MATSE 400: Crystal Chemistry. This year’s recipient was Jacob Packer.

Michael M. & Mary Jane Coleman Undergraduate Award in Polymer Science and Engineering
The purpose of this award is to recognize annually an undergraduate student enrolled in Materials Science and Engineering for excellence in the Polymers curriculum. This year’s recipient was Luke Alcorn.

Robert W. Lindsay Award in Metallurgy
The purpose of this award is to recognize annually an undergraduate student enrolled in the metallurgy curriculum. This year’s recipient was Scott Mancinelli.

David W. Richerson Service Award in Materials Science and Engineering 
The purpose of this award is to honor and recognize outstanding service by an undergraduate student majoring in MatSE. This year’s recipients were Emma Eleson, Max Herbst, and Adam Levedakis. 

Guy and Rae Rindone Award for Academic Excellence in Materials Science and Engineering
The purpose of this award is to recognize the student with the highest-grade point average in materials science and engineering courses who will graduate in the current academic year. This year’s recipients were Max Feidler, Nick Richardson, and Kaitlyn Zajkowski.

Undergraduate Poster Competition
Undergraduate students involved in independent research, industry projects, or other scholarly pursuits are encouraged to highlight their hard work by submitting a poster to the annual Undergraduate Poster Competition.

• First place: “1D Conductive Channels in TMDC Monolayers: A Theoretical Framework” by Nicholas Richardson, advised by Toshikaze Kariyado, senior researcher, Japanese National Institute for Materials Science.
• Second place: “Size Misfit Cation Solubility in Rock Salt High-Entropy Oxides​” by Joseph Petruska, advised by Jon-Paul Maria, professor, MatSE, and Saeed Almishal, research professor, MatSE.
• Third place: “Solution-Processed Metal Halide Perovskite Thin Films for Flexible Solar Cells” by Fatimah Alhejji, advised by Nutifafa Doumon, assistant professor, MatSE.

Graduate awards

Robert E. Newnham Award for Research Excellence
This award recognizes outstanding graduate students enrolled in the Intercollege Graduate Degree Program in MatSE. This year’s recipients were Sai Gayathri Ayyagari, Brittney Hauke, Sankalpa Hazra, Haley Jones, Aiden Ross, Ian Wietecha-Reiman, and Zhening Yang.

Coppola Graduate Student Award for Student Service and Leadership 
This award recognizes a graduate student who exhibits outstanding leadership and service both in and outside of the program that benefits MatSE. This year’s recipient was Molly McDonough.

Howard O. and Jean Beaver Graduate Studies Award 
This award gives our graduate students the opportunity to enhance their communication skills and deepen their knowledge of materials science and engineering. This award recognizes our students for outstanding achievement as teaching assistants. This year’s recipients were Aiden Ross and Jackson Spurling.

Drs. Weiming Huang and Zi-Kui Liu Materials Genome Graduate Award
This award recognizes graduate students who have demonstrated excellence and achieved meritorious accomplishments in their field of research. This year’s recipients were Beril Tonyali and Mengyi Wang.

Graduate Poster Competition
Graduate students pursuing independent research, industry collaborations, or other scholarly projects are invited to showcase their work by submitting a poster to the annual Graduate Poster Competition.

• First place: “Thermodynamic Theory of Optical Properties in Ferroelectrics” by Aiden Ross, advised by Long-Qing Chen, Donald W. Hamer Professor of Materials Science and Engineering.
• Second place: “Defect Engineering for Enhanced Radiation Tolerance of Microelectronics” by Sergei Stepanoff, advised by Douglas Wolfe, professor, MatSE.
• Third place: “Probing the Effect of Dye-2D Material Configuration on their Surface Enhanced Raman Spectra” by Arpit Jain, advised by Joshua Robinson, professor, MatSE.

View photos from the 2025 MatSE Spring Awards Banquet Flicker album.

More at 2025 MatSE Spring Awards Celebration

Herbert Alden McKinstry, retired faculty member, celebrated an incredible milestone, he turned 100 years old. His century of life has been marked by remarkable contributions to science, education, and social justice.

Born on April 22, 1925, McKinstry showed an early passion for music, singing in church choirs from the age of 10 and playing clarinet, saxophone, and bassoon in high school bands. Though he dreamed of attending the Eastman School of Music, financial realities led him to Alfred University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in glass technology.

After marrying Jean Millspaugh in 1945, McKinstry moved to Happy Valley in 1947. He earned his master’s degree in ceramics in 1950 and his doctoral degree in physics in 1960, while raising four children. During these years, he remained deeply engaged in both research and activism, traveling to Mississippi to support voter registration efforts during the civil rights movement.

During McKinstry’s career at Penn State, he helped pioneer X-ray diffraction research, mentored generations of scientists, and co-founded the Materials Research Laboratory. He authored over sixty scientific publications, earned more than two thousand citations, and received the Ross Coffin Purdy Award for his work on lead titanate (PbTiO₃). His innovative furnace designs for high-temperature diffraction studies were commercialized by Tempress, a company that he helped start. McKinstry was an early adopter of computers for scientific research and education.

The classes he taught—ranging from X-ray diffraction to computer graphics for ceramics—contributed to the curriculum for materials science at Penn State. Even in retirement, McKinstry’s passion for learning continues, as he keeps up with the latest developments in physics through Scientific American.

As McKinstry celebrates his one-hundredth birthday, we honor his extraordinary life, his commitment to knowledge, and the countless lives he has touched through his work, mentorship, and activism.

Photo on right: Herbert A. McKinstry’s retirement party during the summer of 1990, from left, Eric Cross, Pat Licastro, McKinstry, Bob Newnham, Jean McKinstry, Rustum Roy, and Della Roy.

Venkatraman Gopalan, professor of materials science and engineering and of physics, has been appointed associate head for graduate education and chair of the Intercollege Graduate Degree Program (IGDP) in Materials Science and Engineering (MatSE), effective July 1. 

“Venkat will be an excellent associate head for our department’s graduate program,” said Susan Sinnott, professor and head of MatSE. “He brings a wealth of experience in research, education, and leadership. His experience in training the next generation of researchers and fostering collaborative environments will make him a driving force for the graduate program.” 

The IGDP in MatSE is grounded by strong research and education, encompasses the entire spectrum of materials, including inorganic and structural materials, electronic and photonic materials, polymers and biomaterials, and computational materials science. The program’s interdisciplinary approach allows students to participate in research beyond MatSE including other departments within the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, the College of Engineering, the Eberly College of Science, the College of Agricultural Sciences, the Applied Research Laboratory, and other Penn State entities.

“I am honored to be selected as the next associate head for graduate education in MatSE,” Gopalan said. “Our top-ranked graduate program is a leader not only in research but also in the well-rounded education we provide to the next generation of materials scientists and engineers.”

Ranked ninth in materials engineering graduate degree programs for 2025 by U.S. News and World Report, the IGDP in MatSE is consistently ranked among the top materials science and engineering graduate programs and offers students a world-class education.

“My goals for graduate education are to further improve upon our high standards in interdisciplinary research, especially in embracing emerging cross-cutting areas and in mentorship that fosters excellence and empathy in our students, preparing them for effective leadership careers in academia and industry,” Gopalan said.

Gopalan’s research focuses on optical materials, including ultrafast optical techniques to probe their electronic and lattice structures and the design and discovery of new nonlinear optical materials for lasers and optical communications technologies.

Gopalan earned his bachelor’s degree in metallurgical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, located in Chennai, India, in 1989 and his doctoral degree in materials science and engineering from Cornell University in 1995. He joined the MatSE faculty in 1998 and became a full professor in 2007.

Gopalan will succeed John Mauro, Dorothy Pate Enright Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, who will assume the role of department head.

As a groundbreaking researcher, visionary leader, and dedicated educator, Allison Beese stands out as a highly celebrated faculty member in MatSE. She holds multiple roles at Penn State, serving as a professor of materials science and engineering and of mechanical engineering, director of the Additive Manufacturing and Design Graduate Program, co-director of the Center for Innovative Materials Processing through Direct Digital Deposition, and the department’s associate head for diversity, equity, enclusion, and belonging. Internationally recognized for her expertise in mechanics and the additive manufacturing (AM) of alloys, Beese is helping to define the future of materials science. 

“Allison’s pioneering work in additively manufactured metals is only one aspect of an impressive, awe-inspiring career,” said Susan Sinnott, MatSE department head. She has been the recipient of several prestigious awards—honors that reflect a trajectory defined by innovation, impact, and excellence.” 

Each day, MatSE students, faculty, and staff demonstrate how safety shapes everything they do. In the fall of 2024, many MatSE supporters answered the call to help preserve our safety-first culture. Over the years, through partnerships with academic, industry, research, and alumni communities, MatSE has built one of the strongest safety programs in academia.

This program emphasizes the importance of safety in a fun and engaging way—through student awards, comprehensive training, and the provision of personal protective equipment. A memorable example of how enjoyable promoting safety can be is the MatSE Safety Dance Video. Though it may be hard to believe it debuted over a decade ago, it remains a fan favorite and a classic.

One-way MatSE celebrates student commitment to safety excellence is through the Outstanding Safety Award. This year’s recipient, Agatha O’Connell, graduate student, was recognized for her dedication to safety—consistently asking questions, identifying safety concerns, and responding to incidents with clarity and action. O’Connell is Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) certified through Penn State’s Environmental Health and Safety’s ten-hour course and has served as a laboratory safety manager for more than two years. One nominator praised her as “committed to the highest standard of lab safety, not only for themself but for our department as a whole.”

Our continued efforts are possible because of our alumni, friends, and partners who answered the call and made the MatSE fall appeal a success through contributions to the MatSE Laboratory Annual Safety Fund. The 1:1 $1,000 challenge match from alumna and retired faculty member Libby Kupp has been met, and we’re thrilled to share that a donor has come forward to permanently endow our safety fund.

If you’d like to keep the momentum going, there’s still time to support this vital initiative. Your gift, no matter the size, helps ensure that safety remains at the forefront of everything we do.

Thank you!

Susan Sinnott, head of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MatSE) at Penn State, will step down from her leadership role on July 1. After more than a decade of service guiding the department, she will continue her contributions to the University as a researcher and educator. Succeeding her is John Mauro, Dorothy Pate Enright Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, who brings a strong record of research excellence, innovation, and academic leadership to the role. 

Sinnott steps down after a decade of transformational leadership

Sinnott has no regrets about leaving Florida's sunshine behind ten years ago to make Happy Valley home with her husband, John, and, more recently, their basset hound, Daisy. Before arriving at Penn State in 2015, she served as the Alumni Professor of Materials Science and affiliate professor in mechanical and aerospace engineering at the University of Florida.

 "Enhancing the reputation and impact of MatSE at Penn State has been one of my top priorities," Sinnott said. "This department is truly special, home to passionate individuals committed to education and to addressing some of the most pressing materials challenges. It’s been a privilege to lead such an inspiring community of students, researchers, faculty, and staff who are helping to shape a better future." 

Throughout her tenure, Sinnott remained committed to MatSE’s educational mission, collaborating closely with associate department heads to strengthen both undergraduate and graduate programs. Under her leadership, the undergraduate program consistently held a top ten national ranking from U.S. News & World Report. The graduate program rose from twenty-fifth in 2015 to number nine in the 2025 rankings. 

Bringing alumni and students together biannually during the MatSE External Advisory Board meetings has created a valuable forum for open dialogue and feedback. These gatherings allow both groups to share insights that help the department continuously enhance the quality of its educational programs and better prepare students for careers in academia, industry, and beyond. 

“Students and alumni are key stakeholders, and their feedback is important as we strive to ensure a high-quality educational experience,” Sinnott said. 

Sinnott also worked closely with faculty-led committees, including the Committee on Curriculum and Assessment and the Long-Range Planning Committee. 

"Faculty input is essential to strategic decision-making,” Sinnott said. “Our faculty have played a vital role in the department’s success, and I’m truly grateful for their insight and support throughout my time as department head.” 

While leading MatSE, Sinnott has maintained her strong record of scholarship in interdisciplinary research and education across a wide variety of science and engineering disciplines. She is a co-principal investigator with the Center for Nanoscale Science, a National Science Foundation-funded Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC). The MRSEC, renewed in 2020 with $18 million over six years, supports interdisciplinary research in nanoscale materials, focusing on 2D polar metals and complex oxide thin films. 

Sinnott is also the deputy director for the Energy Frontier Research Center (EFRC) led by Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Established in 2022 with $11.5 million in funding from the Department of Energy, the EFRC explores next-generation polymer electrolytes for fuel cells and solid-state EV batteries. 

“We deeply appreciate Susan’s unwavering dedication to Penn State MatSE and her outstanding support of our students, faculty, researchers, and staff,” said Lee Kump, the John Leone Dean in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences (EMS). “Her leadership, along with the efforts of her team, has upheld the department’s exceptional reputation and paved the way for its continued success.” 

Sinnott is a Fellow of the American Physical Society, the Materials Research Society, the American Ceramic Society, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the American Vacuum Society (AVS). 

In 2022, Sinnott was awarded the University’s Faculty Scholar Medal in Physical Sciences for Outstanding Achievement and the AVS Medard W. Welch Award, which is the society’s highest honor; Sinnott was the second woman to receive the Welch Award since it was first awarded in 1970. She is the author of more than 290 technical publications and is the editor-in-chief of the journal Computational Materials Science. 

Sinnott earned her bachelor’s degree with honors in chemistry from the University of Texas at Austin and her doctorate in physical chemistry from Iowa State University. 

From LionGlass to leadership: Mauro steps into new role

When Mauro talks about Penn State, you’d think he was born answering the call, “We are!” His deep enthusiasm and unwavering dedication to the University and its community make it easy to forget that he only arrived in Happy Valley in 2017 when he joined the MatSE faculty. As head of the department, Mauro will bring his visionary leadership and deep commitment to innovation to the role. 

Mauro is an internationally recognized materials and glass science expert and co-inventor of LionGlass. Prior to joining Penn State, Mauro worked for eighteen years as an industrial research scientist at Corning Incorporated, where he was co-inventor of three iterations of Corning Gorilla Glass, a thin, durable, touch sensitive cover glass that has been used in billions of cellphones, tablets, and touch-screen devices worldwide. 

“I feel truly honored and excited at this opportunity to lead the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Penn State,” Mauro said. “I am very grateful to my colleagues for the trust they’ve placed in me and to Susan Sinnott for her outstanding leadership over the past ten years.” 

“Given his amazing research accomplishments and current work on LionGlass, it is particularly gratifying that Professor Mauro is willing and eager to serve the students, faculty and staff in this important leadership role,” said Kump. 

Mauro has served as the chair of Penn State’s Intercollege Graduate Degree Program in MatSE and associate head for graduate education in MatSE since 2019. 

"John hit the ground running when he joined the department by writing two textbooks, revitalizing our classes on glass and kinetics, supervising the work of a small army of students and postdocs, publishing many papers in peer-reviewed journals, filing patents—including for the now famous LionGlass material—and excelling in service to the department and the profession,” said Sinnott. “Everything that he does is of exceptional quality and I expect the same in this new role.” 

Mauro is a Fellow of the American Ceramic Society, the Society of Glass Technology, and the National Academy of Inventors. He is an elected member of the National Academy of Engineering and an elected academician in the World Academy of Ceramics. 

Mauro is the author of more than 390 peer-reviewed publications and is the editor-in-chief of Journal of the American Ceramic Society. He is co-author of Fundamentals of Inorganic Glasses, the definitive textbook on glass science and technology, and author of the textbook published in 2021, Materials Kinetics: Transport and Rate Phenomena. 

Mauro was awarded the University’s Faculty Scholar Medal for Outstanding Achievement in 2021 and the EMS Paul F. Robertson Award for Research Breakthrough of the Year in 2020 for his pioneering work in decoding the “glass genome”—the code to design new functional glasses. He also was awarded the Wilson Award for Excellence in Teaching from EMS in 2022. 

Mauro earned a bachelor of science degree in glass engineering science and a bachelor of arts in computer science, both in 2001, and a doctorate in glass science in 2006, all from Alfred University.