Katherine Faber

Katherine Faber is the Simon Ramo Professor of Materials Science at the California Institute of Technology within the Division of Engineering and Applied Science. Her research focuses on fracture mechanics of brittle ceramics, porous material design, and cultural heritage science with collaborations at NU-ACCESS and NASA.

Research Highlights:

• Developing freeze-cast zirconia systems for shape memory applications
• Studying environmental barrier coatings under extreme conditions
• Investigating ceramic interactions with lunar regolith simulants for space exploration
• Applying synchrotron X-ray techniques to visualize internal fracture
• Exploring gold nanoparticle synthesis in historical ceramics

Scientific Recognition:

• 2024 W. David Kingery Award (American Ceramic Society)
• 2025 Alfred University Distinguished Service Award
• 2017 Richard E. Tressler Award
• 2015 John Jeppson Award
• 2014 American Academy of Arts and Sciences inductee

Recent Article Trends show expertise in ceramic additive manufacturing, martensitic transformations, and multiscale porosity control with applications spanning space technology, medical filters, and art conservation.

Education includes a PhD from UC Berkeley (1982), MS from Penn State (1978), and BS from Alfred University (1975).