معرفی
Katherine Acton serves as Professor and Chair of the Mechanical Engineering department within the School of Engineering at the University of St. Thomas. Her expertise spans engineering mechanics and computational material modeling, supported by research funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF), NASA, ASEE, and industry consortia.
Her academic credentials include:
- PhD in Civil Engineering from Johns Hopkins University
- MSE in Civil Engineering from Johns Hopkins University
- BA in Mathematics and English from Williams College
Dr. Acton's research focuses on computational modeling of composite materials, probabilistic multiscale analysis, and finite element methods for nonlinear material behaviors like plasticity and viscoelasticity. Her work has significant applications in aerospace and advanced manufacturing sectors, leveraging university resources including the Design Center and Centers of Excellence in Advanced Manufacturing and Applied AI.
As principal investigator for the NSF S-STEM Track 2 grant "APEX: Alternative Pathways for Excellence," she leads initiatives to create transfer pathways for community college students into engineering programs. Her research portfolio includes funding from NASA, ASEE, and the Information Storage Industry Consortium (INSIC).
Dr. Acton teaches core mechanical engineering courses including Mechanics of Materials (lecture and lab), with extensive experience in Statics, Dynamics, Structural Analysis, and Finite Element Analysis. She integrates hands-on projects and lab work to enhance student learning in her courses.
