Derek Mess

Derek Mess is a Professor of the Practice in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at Tufts University's School of Engineering. He has been affiliated with the institution since 2011, holding roles such as Lecturer and Professor of the Practice. His primary research focuses on materials development for energy, environmental, and aerospace applications, emphasizing thermal barrier coatings (TBC), solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) ceramics, and carbon dioxide capture mechanisms. He advises graduate students and has contributed to curriculum development through roles like Departmental Rep for the SOE Curriculum Task Force and member of the ChBE Informal Working Group on MS program redesign.

Education: B.Sc. from Queen's University (1980) and Ph.D. from MIT (1989). His teaching spans courses like Chemical Process Principles, Transport Phenomena, and Advanced Thermodynamics. Notable awards include the 2022 Seymour Simches Award for Teaching and multiple "Favorite Professor" recognitions.

Research highlights include work on high-temperature materials, gas-solid reactions, and coating durability under extreme conditions. He has published extensively on topics like scandia-stabilized zirconia and vanadate corrosion behavior in ceramics.

• Awards: Exemplary Engineer Award (2024), BEaChES Exemplary Engineer (2019), NASA Tech Brief Award (2001).
• Grants/Administrative Roles: DOE proposal reviewer, strategic planning lead, and curriculum task force member.
• Teaching: Over 25 courses taught since 2011, emphasizing materials science and chemical engineering fundamentals.