معرفی
Michael Kessler is the Louis M. Sardella Head of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University (JHU), part of the Whiting School of Engineering. Previously, he served as Dean of the College of Engineering at North Dakota State University (2017–2023) and as Berry Family Director and Professor at Washington State University’s School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering. He began his academic career at Iowa State University, where he held the Wilkinson Professorship in Interdisciplinary Engineering.
Education: Kessler earned his PhD in Theoretical and Applied Mechanics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2002), focusing on self-healing composite materials as a Beckman Institute fellow.
Research Interests: His work spans composite materials, multifunctional materials, and thermal analysis, with a focus on bio-renewable polymers, polymer matrix composites, and extreme environment applications. He co-founded the NSF-funded Center for Bioplastics and Biocomposites (CB²), advancing bio-based materials from agricultural and forestry feedstocks.
Key Contributions: Over 260 peer-reviewed publications, 20 U.S. patents, 14 edited books, and leadership roles include past president of the North American Thermal Analysis Society (NATAS). Awards include Fellowships from the National Academy of Inventors, AAAS, and multiple professional societies, alongside young investigator grants from the NSF, Army, and Air Force.
Labs/Initiatives: Directs CB² and drives innovation in bio-based materials, with projects on liquid crystalline networks, shape-memory polymers, and sustainable composites. His research integrates organic chemistry, applied mechanics, and processing science.
