Julie Tucker

Julie Tucker is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical, Industrial, and Manufacturing Engineering at Oregon State University, where she also serves as the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program Director and Design for Social Impact Academic Director. She holds a Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (2008) and prior degrees from the University of Missouri-Rolla and University of Wisconsin-Madison. Before joining OSU in 2013, she worked as a Principal Scientist at Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory studying structural alloys for nuclear systems.

Education:

• Ph.D., Nuclear Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2008
• M.S., Nuclear Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2005
• B.S., Nuclear Engineering, University of Missouri-Rolla, 2002

Research Interests:

Dr. Tucker focuses on materials degradation in extreme environments, including corrosion, high temperatures, and irradiation. Her work combines computational modeling and experimental analysis to understand material behavior in energy systems, with particular emphasis on steels and Ni-based alloys. Key areas include alloy development for nuclear applications and corrosion resistance in supercritical CO₂ environments.

Scientific Awards:

• 2019 OSU College of Engineering Dean’s Professor
• 2018 Engelbrecht Young Faculty Award
• 2017 NSF Career Award

Advising & Grants:

Dr. Tucker leads an active research group exploring material performance in harsh conditions. Her work has received support from NSF and industry partners. She emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, mentoring students in metallurgy, materials science, and engineering design.

Labs & Teams:

She directs the Nuclear Materials and Metallurgy Group, focusing on alloy development and corrosion mechanisms for advanced energy systems.