Michael Tonks, Ph.D., a professor, has been appointed as the acting chair of the Department of Materials Science & Engineering (MSE), effective immediately. Tonks, the associate chair since 2019, has been an integral member of MSE since joining in 2017. His dedication to excellence in teaching, research and service has significantly contributed to the department’s success.

“Dr. Tonks is an exceptional choice to lead MSE during this transition period,” said Forrest Masters, Ph.D., interim dean for the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering. “We are confident that under his leadership, the department will continue to thrive and achieve new heights of academic and research excellence. More information about the search for the permanent chair will be released as it becomes available.”

Tonks received his bachelor’s degree in 2001 and his master’s degree in 2002, both in mechanical engineering from Brigham Young University. He earned his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2008. From 2009-2015, he worked as a Staff Scientist and Group Lead at the Idaho National Laboratory. His research there would eventually earn him the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) award in January 2017.

Michele Manuel, Ph.D., who served as the MSE chair since 2017 was recently named the first woman to hold the position as dean of the Swanson College of Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh and will start her new role on Sept. 1.