Barnard Named to Chair Material Science and Engineering at Pitt

September 26, 2001

PITTSBURGH—John A. Barnard has been appointed chair of the Department of Material Science and Engineering (MSE) at the University of Pittsburgh. Barnard, who is also an MSE professor, joined the University this fall.

Previously, Barnard was a professor and director of a National Science Foundation Materials Research Science and Engineering Center at the University of Alabama. He earned the B.A. in engineering and applied science at Harvard University, and the M.E. and Ph.D. degrees in metallurgical engineering and material science from Carnegie Mellon University. He has spent time as a visiting professor and researcher in France.

"I am excited to have the opportunity to work with a fine group of faculty and staff, and look forward to helping to enhance the MSE department in the coming years," said Barnard.

Barnard researches structure/property relationships in thin film materials, including those used for data storage and protective coatings. He is interested in surface and interface characterization, nanostructured materials, and tribology—the study of interactions such as lubrication, wear, and friction between surfaces.

In 1991, Barnard was named a National Science Foundation Presidential Young Investigator. He has published more than 140 papers.

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