UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Susan Trolier-McKinstry, Flaschen Professor of Ceramic Science and Engineering in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, was recently named an Evan Pugh University Professor, an elite distinction conferred by the University on only 73 faculty members since the establishment of the designation in 1960.
Named for Penn State’s founding president, the distinction honors preeminent professors and recognizes the importance of research in supporting the quality and reputation of the University. Professors are selected without regard to college affiliation, program or location. Professorships are granted only to candidates who are acknowledged national and international leaders in their fields of research or creative activity. Trolier-McKinstry is one of two faculty members who earned the honor this year.
“Susan’s pioneering and internationally recognized research and her innovative approach to teaching, of both undergraduate and graduate students, makes her truly deserving of this recognition,” said Lee Kump, John Leone Dean in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences. “We are also proud of the fact that she is the 7th professor from the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences to be honored with this recognition, a group including three other currently active Evan Pugh University Professors in EMS.”
Trolier-McKinstry is the director of the Materials Research Institute’s Nanofabrication Laboratory and is a professor of electrical engineering in the College of Engineering. Her main research interest is thin films for dielectric and piezoelectric applications (dielectrics are electrical insulators that can be used to store charge, while piezoelectrics convert mechanical energy into electric energy and vice versa).
“Penn State is an outstanding place to work. I gratefully acknowledge the many excellent students and post-doctoral scholars that have worked in my group, along with my faculty colleagues and our professional staff. This tremendous honor is really shared with all of these people,” Trolier-McKinstry said.
In 2019, Trolier-McKinstry was elected to the National Academy of Engineering for her "development of thin film multilayer ceramic capacitors and piezoelectric microelectromechanical systems." Election to the National Academy of Engineering is among the highest professional distinctions accorded to an engineer.
She is a fellow of the American Ceramic Society, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and the Materials Research Society. She is also an academician in the World Academy of Ceramics. She was the 2017 president of the Materials Research Society. Previously, Trolier-McKinstry was president of IEEE Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics and Frequency Control Society and Keramos National Professional Ceramic Engineering Fraternity.
Trolier-McKinstry earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in ceramic science and engineering and her doctorate in ceramic science, all from Penn State.