Katsuyo Thornton

• B.S. with Honors, Iowa State University, Physics, 1991
• M.S., The University of Chicago, Astronomy and Astrophysics, 1993
• Ph.D., The University of Chicago, Astronomy and Astrophysics, 1997

Thornton’s research focuses on computational and theoretical investigations of the evolution of microstructures and nanostructures during processing and operation. These investigations facilitate the understanding of the underlying physics of materials to aid us in designing advanced materials with desirable properties. The topics include coarsening in elastically stressed solids, evolution of topologically complex systems in three dimensions, simulations of electrochemical systems, and self-assembly of quantum dots and other nanoscale phenomena during heteroepitaxy of semiconductors using large-scale simulations.

• 2018 – present L.H. and F.E. Van Vlack Professor, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan
• 2015 – present Professor, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan
• 2010 – 2015 Associate Professor, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan
• 2004 – 2010 Assistant Professor, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan
• 2001 – 2004 Research Assistant Professor, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University 
• 2001 Visiting Lecturer, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology 
• 1999 – 2000 Visiting Scientist, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology 
• 1997 – 2001 Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University

• Fellow of ASM, 2018.
• TMS Brimacombe Medal, 2018.
• Eschbach Fellow, Northwestern, 2018.
• Ted Kennedy Family Faculty Team Excellence Award, 2016.
• Jon R. and Beverly S. Holt Award for Excellence in Teaching, 2015.
• TMS Materials Processing & Manufacturing Division Distinguished Service Award, 2015.
• MSE Department Achievement Award, 2014.
• Inaugural Chair, TMS ICME Technical Committee, 2009-2012.
• NSF CAREER Award, 2008.
• TMS Early Career Faculty Fellow Award, 2008.
• Elizabeth C. Crosby Research Award, the University of Michigan ADVANCE, 2005.
• The Carl Sagan Award for Excellence in Teaching, Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics, The University of Chicago, 1995.