Category: Faculty

Materials science professor Michael Tonks was elected a fellow of the American Nuclear Society, one of the organization’s highest honors recognizing significant contributions to nuclear science and technology.

Researchers are developing a laser-based manufacturing technique that could enable astronauts to build tools, structures and infrastructure on the moon using materials already available there.

Ravit Silverstein, assistant professor of materials science and engineering at the University of Florida, received a national early career award from The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society. Her research focuses on designing stronger, more resilient materials for extreme environments using atomic-scale engineering and advanced microscopy techniques.

UF engineer and electron microscopy expert Nicholas Rudawski uses YouTube to help others learn to operate electron microscopes and understand electron microscopy concepts and fundamentals.  

Long-time, beloved University of Florida engineering professor Robert Thomas Dehoff, Ph.D., died on Jan. 7, 2026 in Gainesville. 

The Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering is mourning the loss of Stephen J. Pearton, Ph.D., a distinguished professor emeritus in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE), who died on Dec. 7.  

The Department of Materials Science & Engineering is thrilled to welcome three new faculty members: Renato S. Navarro, Ph.D., Ravit Silverstein, Ph.D., and Yijia Gu, Ph.D. They have joined the department as assistant professors in Spring 2025. These new hires bring exceptional expertise and diverse experiences, which will enhance the department’s research and educational mission. […]

“We are pushing the boundaries of what you can measure.” – Prof. Megan Butala

Dr. Rolf Erich Hummel, a distinguished materials scientist and professor emeritus of the department, passed away on March 24, 2025, at age 90. Born in Stuttgart, Germany, he earned his doctorate in solid-state physics from the Max Planck Institute in 1963. Soon after he graduated, he was hired at the University of Florida to take […]

We are pleased to announce that Tori Miller, Ph.D., has been awarded the Vladimir A. Grodsky Professorship in the Department of Materials Science & Engineering. This prestigious recognition honors Dr. Miller’s sustained performance and excellence in research, teaching and service in materials science and engineering with a specialization in metals. Join us in congratulating Dr. […]