Dr. Richard Billo is a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) and serves as the founding director of the Kummer Institute Center for Advanced Manufacturing and director of the Missouri Protoplex. His roles focus on advancing manufacturing research and economic development through collaborations with industry. He previously held leadership positions at the University of Notre Dame, University of Texas at Arlington, and Oregon State University, including roles as associate vice president for research and department head of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering. Dr. Billo holds a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering (Arizona State University, 1989), an M.S. in Industrial Engineering (Arizona State University, 1985), an M.S. in Psychology (University of the Pacific, 1985), and a B.S. in Psychology (West Virginia University, 1978). His research interests center on advanced manufacturing processes, industrial information systems, metallurgy, and liquid fuels production. Notable contributions include pioneering work on additive manufacturing thermal modeling, distortion prediction, and material characterization. He has authored over 100 research articles and holds five patents licensed to industry. Dr. Billo has been honored with the Outstanding Faculty Award and Whiteford Faculty Fellowship. His leadership extends to editorial roles for journals such as the Journal of Manufacturing Processes and Journal of Manufacturing Systems . His work bridges academic research with industrial applications, emphasizing sustainable manufacturing practices and technological innovation.












