Outstanding Materials Engineers (OMSE)
The title of Outstanding Materials Engineer is conferred by the faculty of the Purdue University School of Materials Engineering, in recognition of excellence in some aspect of the field of Materials Science and Engineering or an affiliated profession as exemplified by leadership and accomplishments.
OMSE Class of 2024
Scott Borcherding
Senior Director of Operations at, J.M. Smucker Company
B.S. MSE '94
For his vast experience in engineering leadership supporting global growth and expansion, management of multiyear capital programs, and leadership of efforts to drive organizational capability and standardization of technical practices.
B.S. MSE '94
For his vast experience in engineering leadership supporting global growth and expansion, management of multiyear capital programs, and leadership of efforts to drive organizational capability and standardization of technical practices.
Dianna Clute
New Product Introduction Team Leader, Caterpillar, Inc
M.S. MetE '05
In recognition of her increasing levels of responsibility with Caterpillar, Inc., strong leadership experience, success in launching and managing new products, and delivering significant cost savings, along with her expertise in diesel and natural gas engines and materials science background.
M.S. MetE '05
In recognition of her increasing levels of responsibility with Caterpillar, Inc., strong leadership experience, success in launching and managing new products, and delivering significant cost savings, along with her expertise in diesel and natural gas engines and materials science background.
Sharon Miller
Assistant Vice Provost, Purdue Indianapolis
B.S. MSE '02
For her proven track record of excellence in interdisciplinary teaching and leadership in developing innovative STEM curriculum. She has had a long term career focus on discipline based educational research in biomedical engineering while being able to draw from her multidisciplinary expertise.
B.S. MSE '02
For her proven track record of excellence in interdisciplinary teaching and leadership in developing innovative STEM curriculum. She has had a long term career focus on discipline based educational research in biomedical engineering while being able to draw from her multidisciplinary expertise.
Chad Zamarin
Executive Vice President - Corporate Strategic Development, Williams
B.S. MSE '98
For his proven senior executive with leadership experience across the oil and gas space, including key leadership roles in natural gas pipelines and storage, new energy ventures and renewables, refined products pipelines and terminals, oil and gas production, gathering, processing, commodity marketing, and large-scale LNG liquefaction and export terminals.
B.S. MSE '98
For his proven senior executive with leadership experience across the oil and gas space, including key leadership roles in natural gas pipelines and storage, new energy ventures and renewables, refined products pipelines and terminals, oil and gas production, gathering, processing, commodity marketing, and large-scale LNG liquefaction and export terminals.
Previous Year Award Winners
2024
Savithri Abey
Owner, Prosthodontics Of Central Indiana
B.S. MSE '99
In recognition of her contributions in the field of dentistry and dental materials research
B.S. MSE '99
In recognition of her contributions in the field of dentistry and dental materials research
Inna Elsner
Global Talent Development Program Manager, Seagate Technology
M.S. MetE '92
Ph.D. MSE '95
In recognition of her technical achievements in materials testing for packaging and her leadership in training and enabling a more diverse workforce in the consumer products and tech industry
M.S. MetE '92
Ph.D. MSE '95
In recognition of her technical achievements in materials testing for packaging and her leadership in training and enabling a more diverse workforce in the consumer products and tech industry
Brian Gerardot
Professor, Royal Academy of Engineering Chair in Emerging Technology, Heriot-Watt University
B.S. MSE '92
In recognition of his contributions in photonic physics, engineering photonics, and quantum sciences
B.S. MSE '92
In recognition of his contributions in photonic physics, engineering photonics, and quantum sciences
Aaron Scroggin
Director, Corporate Quality Network and Advanced Quality Systems Manager, Intel Corp
B.S. MSE '98
M.S. MSE '99
In recognition of his long-term commitment to materials reliability and quality assurance in area of semiconductors
B.S. MSE '98
M.S. MSE '99
In recognition of his long-term commitment to materials reliability and quality assurance in area of semiconductors
2022
Kayla Calvert
Global Director of Metallurgical Engineering, Titanium Metals Corporation
M.S. MSE '06
B.S. MSE '04
For significant contributions in the research, development, and production of Ti alloys for high-performance applications across industries
Kayla Calvert Award Video
M.S. MSE '06
B.S. MSE '04
For significant contributions in the research, development, and production of Ti alloys for high-performance applications across industries
Kayla Calvert Award Video
Jon Hilden
Associate Engineering Advisor, Eli Lilly & Co.
Ph.D MSE '01
M.S. MSE '98
In recognition of his significant contributions in the production and characterization of materials for pharmaceutical applications.
Jon Hilden Award Video
Ph.D MSE '01
M.S. MSE '98
In recognition of his significant contributions in the production and characterization of materials for pharmaceutical applications.
Jon Hilden Award Video
Jason Jenny
Operations Director of Global Operations, Wolfspeed Inc
B.S. MSE '92
In recognition of research, development, and production that has brought advanced wide band gap semiconductors to global markets.
Jason Jenny Award Video
B.S. MSE '92
In recognition of research, development, and production that has brought advanced wide band gap semiconductors to global markets.
Jason Jenny Award Video
Glenn Teuber
Chief Operating Officer, Alphabet, Inc.
B.S. MSE '02
In recognition of his leadership in developing and growing products and businesses from hardware to connectivity services, enabling improved access and communication around the globe.
Glenn Teuber Award Video
B.S. MSE '02
In recognition of his leadership in developing and growing products and businesses from hardware to connectivity services, enabling improved access and communication around the globe.
Glenn Teuber Award Video
2021
Matthew Kush
Manager, Ceramic Matrix Composites Technology Center, Rolls-Royce
B.S. MSE '92
For significant contributions in the research, development, and production of Ti alloys for high performance applications across industries
B.S. MSE '92
For significant contributions in the research, development, and production of Ti alloys for high performance applications across industries
Tracy Lopes
Head, Flexible Robotics, Johnson & Johnson
B.S. MSE '97
In recognition of her continued combination of leadership within the healthcare industry and her technical achievements in advancing surgical tools using advanced materials
B.S. MSE '97
In recognition of her continued combination of leadership within the healthcare industry and her technical achievements in advancing surgical tools using advanced materials
Peter Tortorici
Senior Manager, Medtronic
B.S. MSE '90
M.S. MSE '93
PhD MSE '97
In recognition of his technical achievements in materials reliability for implantable medical devices
B.S. MSE '90
M.S. MSE '93
PhD MSE '97
In recognition of his technical achievements in materials reliability for implantable medical devices
2020
Carlotta Arthur
Director, Program for Women in STEM, The Henry Luce Foundation
B.S. MSE '85
In recognition of her continued contributions to the promotion and support of STEM in higher education and her demonstrated commitment to addressing diversity, equity and inclusion therein
B.S. MSE '85
In recognition of her continued contributions to the promotion and support of STEM in higher education and her demonstrated commitment to addressing diversity, equity and inclusion therein
Jacob Jones
Professor, North Carolina State University
PhD MSE '04
In recognition of his demonstrated excellence in the area of functional ceramic materials and advanced characterization tools that have impacted the international materials community
PhD MSE '04
In recognition of his demonstrated excellence in the area of functional ceramic materials and advanced characterization tools that have impacted the international materials community
2019
Voramon Dheeradhada
Materials Engineer, GE Global Research Latham
M.S. MSE '02
PhD MSE '05
In recognition of her significant contributions in the development of high temperature and structural materials for aerospace and power generation, and additive manufacturing
M.S. MSE '02
PhD MSE '05
In recognition of her significant contributions in the development of high temperature and structural materials for aerospace and power generation, and additive manufacturing
Alison Park
Integrated Program Manager, Aerojet Rocketdyne
B.S. MSE '99
In recognition of her technical expertise and leadership in advancing materials in challenging aerospace applications using additive manufacturing, materials processing, and project management
B.S. MSE '99
In recognition of her technical expertise and leadership in advancing materials in challenging aerospace applications using additive manufacturing, materials processing, and project management
Aaron Pedigo
Integrated Program Manager, Aerojet Rocketdyne
B.S. MSE '06
PhD '11
In recognition of his significant contributions in soldering and interconnect technologies, wire bonded encapsulated microcircuits, and materials analysis of electronic materials
B.S. MSE '06
PhD '11
In recognition of his significant contributions in soldering and interconnect technologies, wire bonded encapsulated microcircuits, and materials analysis of electronic materials
2018
Kevin Lohner
Principal Propulsion Engineer, SpaceX
B.S. MSE '97
In recognition of his significant contributions and more than twenty years of experience in design, development, and test of materials and propulsion components and systems
B.S. MSE '97
In recognition of his significant contributions and more than twenty years of experience in design, development, and test of materials and propulsion components and systems
Bill Jarosinski
Director, Materials, Praxair Surface Technologies
B.S. MSE '90
M.S. '95
In recognition of his significant contributions with tungsten carbide and chromium carbide materials for improved wear resistance; alloy development for bond coat materials for gas turbine components, and his support and leadership within the Indianapolis Chapter of ASM International.
B.S. MSE '90
M.S. '95
In recognition of his significant contributions with tungsten carbide and chromium carbide materials for improved wear resistance; alloy development for bond coat materials for gas turbine components, and his support and leadership within the Indianapolis Chapter of ASM International.
Jessica Van Dalen
Patent Attorney (Partner), Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
B.S. MSE '07
In recognition of her significant contributions in applying her engineering knowledge to the field of intellectual property and patent law as well as for her strong commitment to community service and helping local entrepreneurs through the IP landscape
B.S. MSE '07
In recognition of her significant contributions in applying her engineering knowledge to the field of intellectual property and patent law as well as for her strong commitment to community service and helping local entrepreneurs through the IP landscape
2017
Dennis Keiser Jr.
Metallurgical Engineer, Idaho National Laboratory
PhD MSE '92
In recognition of his work in materials reliability and nonproliferation within the nuclear materials field, particularly in the area of materials for nuclear fuels
PhD MSE '92
In recognition of his work in materials reliability and nonproliferation within the nuclear materials field, particularly in the area of materials for nuclear fuels
Janet (Degener) Lumpp
Professor; Associate Chair; Director of Undergraduate Studies, Electrical Engineering, University of Kentucky
B.S. MSE '88
M.S. '89
In recognition of her work in the areas of thin film growth and surface modification methods for microelectronics, and her efforts in outreach and education through her activity with the Kentucky Space Grant Program.
B.S. MSE '88
M.S. '89
In recognition of her work in the areas of thin film growth and surface modification methods for microelectronics, and her efforts in outreach and education through her activity with the Kentucky Space Grant Program.
Dustin Ruh
Commercial Director, Arconic
B.S. MSE '03
In recognition of his leadership in the high-performance aluminum alloy industry and for his service to the School of Materials Engineering
B.S. MSE '03
In recognition of his leadership in the high-performance aluminum alloy industry and for his service to the School of Materials Engineering
2016
William Shelley II
Innovation Manager, RD&I, Wieland North America
B.S. MSE '97
M.S. MSE '99
In recognition of his demonstrated excellence in the areas of transitioning advanced ceramics materials to novel applications; the R&D of piezoelectric actuators for fuel injectors, piezoelectric ceramic composition development, and actuator development as well as design and testing of prototypes and scale up to production.
B.S. MSE '97
M.S. MSE '99
In recognition of his demonstrated excellence in the areas of transitioning advanced ceramics materials to novel applications; the R&D of piezoelectric actuators for fuel injectors, piezoelectric ceramic composition development, and actuator development as well as design and testing of prototypes and scale up to production.
Yongho Sohn
UCF Pegasus Professor and Lockheed Martin Professor of Engineering
PhD MSE '98
In recognition of his demonstrated excellence in fundamental materials properties measurements and microstructural characterization of advanced materials and nuclear-related systems that directly impacts Materials Genome/Computational Materials Engineering database development, as well as developments for materials in thermal barrier and oxidation resistant coatings for advanced gas turbine applications, ternary Heusler alloys and powder-derived metal-matrix and ceramic-metal structural composites.
PhD MSE '98
In recognition of his demonstrated excellence in fundamental materials properties measurements and microstructural characterization of advanced materials and nuclear-related systems that directly impacts Materials Genome/Computational Materials Engineering database development, as well as developments for materials in thermal barrier and oxidation resistant coatings for advanced gas turbine applications, ternary Heusler alloys and powder-derived metal-matrix and ceramic-metal structural composites.
Brian Underwood
Manager and Owner, Whaleback SBG, LLC
B.S. MSE '88
In recognition of his demonstrated excellence in the entrepreneurship arena and leading innovative approaches to solving industrial and consumer problems in a wide range of industries.
B.S. MSE '88
In recognition of his demonstrated excellence in the entrepreneurship arena and leading innovative approaches to solving industrial and consumer problems in a wide range of industries.
2015
Robert Hull
Retired Director, Accurate Casting, Inc.
B.S. MSE '65
In recognition of his demonstrated excellence in bringing new casting technologies to industrial practice, and implementing materials manufacturing improvements in iron casting
B.S. MSE '65
In recognition of his demonstrated excellence in bringing new casting technologies to industrial practice, and implementing materials manufacturing improvements in iron casting
Frank Cichocki, Jr.
Engineering Fellow, Ethicon Inc.
B.S. MSE '95
M.S. MSE '97
PhD MSE '00
In recognition of his demonstrated excellence in the areas of new product development, including exploratory research, materials processing and characterization, device development, and product implementation in the medical device industry
B.S. MSE '95
M.S. MSE '97
PhD MSE '00
In recognition of his demonstrated excellence in the areas of new product development, including exploratory research, materials processing and characterization, device development, and product implementation in the medical device industry
Nicholas Medendorp, Jr.
Co-Founder, CEO & Director at UV Innovators
B.S. MSE '93
M.S. MSE '95
PhD MSE '98
In recognition of his demonstrated excellence in product development, engineering, compliance, and advanced technology development for the LED lighting industry
B.S. MSE '93
M.S. MSE '95
PhD MSE '98
In recognition of his demonstrated excellence in product development, engineering, compliance, and advanced technology development for the LED lighting industry
Lisa Veitch
Research Staff Member at IDA New Alexandria
B.S. MSE '86
PhD MSE '89
In recognition of her demonstrated excellence in implementing new materials and processing methods within the aerospace and defense sectors
B.S. MSE '86
PhD MSE '89
In recognition of her demonstrated excellence in implementing new materials and processing methods within the aerospace and defense sectors
2014
Timothy McCrea
Corporate Controller, Centurion Industries, Inc.
B.S. MSE '83
PhD MSE '89
In recognition of his demonstrated excellence in the area of steel technology and his dedication and service to the School of Materials Engineering
B.S. MSE '83
PhD MSE '89
In recognition of his demonstrated excellence in the area of steel technology and his dedication and service to the School of Materials Engineering
Janet Sater
Research Staff Member, Institute for Defense Analyses, Science & Technology Division
M.S. MSE '85
PhD MSE '88
In recognition of her demonstrated excellence in the areas of materials processing and manufacturing, composites, smart/adaptive materials and structures, morphing materials and structures, nastic materials, and biomimetic materials and her dedication to the School of Materials Engineering
M.S. MSE '85
PhD MSE '88
In recognition of her demonstrated excellence in the areas of materials processing and manufacturing, composites, smart/adaptive materials and structures, morphing materials and structures, nastic materials, and biomimetic materials and her dedication to the School of Materials Engineering
Richard Sisson
Professor and Director of the Center for Heat Treating Excellence
PhD MSE '75
In recognition of his demonstrated excellence in the areas of diffusion kinetics, modeling, and thermodynamics and his dedication to the School of Materials Engineering
PhD MSE '75
In recognition of his demonstrated excellence in the areas of diffusion kinetics, modeling, and thermodynamics and his dedication to the School of Materials Engineering
2013
John Barnes
CSIRO Titanium Technologies, Australia
B.S. MSE '92
M.S. MSE '94
In recognition of his demonstrated excellence in the area of titanium processing and his dedication and service to the School of Materials Engineering
B.S. MSE '92
M.S. MSE '94
In recognition of his demonstrated excellence in the area of titanium processing and his dedication and service to the School of Materials Engineering
Kenneth Blazek
Principal Research Engineer, ArcelorMittal
B.S. MSE '65
PhD MSE '71
In recognition of his demonstrated excellence in the area of steel processing and his dedication and service to the School of Materials Engineering
B.S. MSE '65
PhD MSE '71
In recognition of his demonstrated excellence in the area of steel processing and his dedication and service to the School of Materials Engineering
Mary Lee Gambone
Head, Materials Engineering, Rolls Royce North America
B.S. MSE '74
In recognition of her demonstrated excellence in the area of aerospace technology and her dedication and service to the School of Materials Engineering
B.S. MSE '74
In recognition of her demonstrated excellence in the area of aerospace technology and her dedication and service to the School of Materials Engineering
2012
Ryan Roeder
Associate Professor, Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame University
B.S. MSE '94
PhD MSE '99
In recognition of his demonstrated excellence in the area of biomedical applications of materials and his dedication and service to the School of Materials Engineering
B.S. MSE '94
PhD MSE '99
In recognition of his demonstrated excellence in the area of biomedical applications of materials and his dedication and service to the School of Materials Engineering
2011
David Bahr
Professor and Head, School of Materials Engineering, Purdue University
B.S. MSE '92
M.S. MSE '93
B.S. MSE '92
M.S. MSE '93
2010
Mark Petri
Director of the Electric Power Grid Program, Argonne National Laboratory
PhD MSE '95
PhD MSE '95
2001
Janniah Prasad
Consultant, Product & Process Development, QEM management Associatest
M.S. MSE '64
M.S. MSE '64
1999
Rodger Boehm
Board Member, Meritor; Board Member and Advisor to CEO and Executive Team, Ruggable
B.S. MSE '82
B.S. MSE '82
Sooho Kim
Research Engineer, General Motors Global R & D
M.S. MSE '80
M.S. MSE '80
1998
Sheikh Akbar
Professor, Department of Materials Science & Engineering, The Ohio State University
PhD MSE '85
PhD MSE '85
Kathleen Kansky Giannini
Met.E., Manager, Metallurgy and Testing, Ispat Inland, Inc.
B.S. MSE '82
M.S. MSE '83
B.S. MSE '82
M.S. MSE '83
Lorie Schmidt
Associate General Counsel, Solid Waste and Emergency Response Law Office, Office of General Counsel, US Environmental Protection Agency
B.S. MSE '81
B.S. MSE '81
John Storm
President & CEO, Contour Hardening, Inc.
B.S. MSE '77
B.S. MSE '77
1997
Steven Ferdon
Met.E., Director of Engineering Technology, Fuel Systems Business, Cummins Inc
B.S. MSE '82
B.S. MSE '82
James Karl
Met.E., Memory Products Solutions Manager, IBM Microelectronics
B.S. MSE '81
B.S. MSE '81
Tresa Pollock
ALCOA Distinguished Professor, Materials Department, College of Engineering, University of California
B.S. MSE '84
B.S. MSE '84
V. G. Veeraraghaven
Met.E., Founder and Director, Kripya Group of Companies
M.S. MSE '73
PhD MSE '76
M.S. MSE '73
PhD MSE '76
1996
William Durako
Met.E., Retired Materials/Metallurgical Engineer
B.S. MSE '81
B.S. MSE '81
Kenneth Sandhage
Reilly Professor, School of Materials Engineering, Purdue University
B.S. MSE '81
B.S. MSE '81
D. H.R. Sarma
Senior Patent Agent and Licensing Manager, Purdue University
M.S. MSE '76
PhD '82
M.S. MSE '76
PhD '82
Linda Sarros
Met.E., Technical Service Representative, ArcelorMittal
B.S. MSE '77
B.S. MSE '77