Ares J. Rosakis

Ares J. Rosakis is the Theodore von Kármán Professor of Aeronautics and Mechanical Engineering at Caltech. He holds the Otis Booth Leadership Chair in the Division of Engineering and Applied Science. His research focuses on dynamic fracture mechanics, earthquake seismology, and material failure mechanisms. He has pioneered experimental methods like the Coherent Gradient Sensor (CGS) and invented high-speed infrared thermal imaging for studying dynamic deformation processes.

Education:

• B.Sc. in Engineering Science, University of Oxford (1978)
• Sc.M. in Engineering, Brown University (1980)
• Ph.D. in Engineering, Brown University (1982)

Research Interests: Solid mechanics, dynamic fracture, supershear earthquakes, hypervelocity impact, metallic glasses, thin film reliability, and geological mechanics. His work bridges material science and geophysics, with notable contributions to understanding earthquake rupture dynamics and laboratory earthquake simulations.

Awards: Theodore von Kármán Medal (2016), Timoshenko Medal (2022), National Academy of Sciences membership (2016), von Kármán Professorship (2004–present). He led GALCIT (2004–2009) and chaired Caltech's EAS Division (2009–2015).

Leadership & Grants: Directed over 25 PhD students and 16 postdocs. Authored >200 publications. Served on NASA JPL's advisory council and co-founded Oration Diagnostics. His research is supported by grants from NSF, DOE, and industry partnerships.

Labs/Teams: Leads the Rosakis Research Group at GALCIT, specializing in dynamic failure, earthquake mechanics, and advanced diagnostics.