2025 MSE Holiday Message
On behalf of the University of Pennsylvania Department of Materials Science and Engineering, I wish you a very Happy Holidays and Joyful New Year!
Here in MSE, we are energized by all that has transpired in 2025 and look forward to exciting opportunities on the horizon.
Christopher Madl and Kyle Vining were each awarded an NIH MIRA Award to Young Investigators, aiming to investigate cellular responses to mechanical cues in tissue development, disease progression, and immune responses. I was personally honored as one of the inaugural National Geographic 33 Extraordinary Changemakers.
In January, we welcomed back beloved alumna Vanessa Chan as the inaugural Vice Dean of Innovation and Entrepreneurship and our Undergraduate Chair. She brings years of experience in industry, entrepreneurship, and time spent in the Department of Energy to a new generation of students. Anthony Shoji Hall joined our faculty as Associate Professor and adds expertise in materials synthesis for energy and catalysis. Ali Zaidi came on board as professor of practice, whose vast experience in energy and sustainability science, technology, and policy will strengthen our educational mission.
In the spring, we bid farewell to beloved long-time staff member Pat Overend and welcomed Dorilona Rose as our Director of Administrative and Academic Services. Dorilona was the founding staff member of Philly Materials Science and Engineering Day at Drexel University.
Our faculty are highly sought after for their leadership skills. Eric Stach was appointed President of the Materials Research Society (MRS) and Russell Composto, recently named the Henry Robinson Towne Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, was tapped to serve as the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education.
We held our inaugural External Advisory Board (EAB) meeting in November. Comprised of both department heads from other institutions and alumni, our EAB members provided us with thoughtful feedback and ideas we will be implementing in the new year.
Looking ahead to 2026, our department is adapting our curricula to the rise of AI and changing landscape of higher education, while building bridges and connections across disciplines. For example, my own collaborative research on 3D-printed, carbon-capturing concrete was selected for this year’s Y-Prize competition, a collaboration between Wharton and Penn Engineering.
MSE will mark a significant milestone in 2026, celebrating 80 years of cutting-edge research and innovation.
I wish you a restful break and look forward to connecting with you on campus or at a conference in the new year.
Warmest wishes,
Department Chair and Joseph Bordogna Professor