Dr. Richard Brow named Curators’ Professor
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Dr. Richard K. Brow, chair of materials science and engineering at the University of Missouri-Rolla, was named Curators’ Professor of ceramic engineering during UMR commencement ceremonies Saturday, Dec. 18.
The University of Missouri Board of Curators approved the designation at its meeting Nov. 18-19 at UMR.
The professorship is awarded to outstanding scholars with established reputations in their fields of study. Brow is known internationally for his research on the properties and applications of glasses used for laser amplifiers.
"I am very pleased that the Board of Curators has selected Dr. Brow for this high academic honor," says UMR Chancellor Gary Thomas. "It will further recognize his accomplishments, bring added prestige to the department of materials science and engineering, and enhance Dr. Brow’s research efforts at UMR."
Brow joined the UMR faculty in 1998 as a professor of ceramic engineering and senior investigator in the UMR Graduate Center for Materials Research. He became chair of ceramic engineering in 2001 and in 2004 became chair of the department of materials science and engineering, which was created with the combination of UMR’s ceramic and metallurgical engineering departments.
Brow’s previous recognition for research excellence includes the American Ceramic Society’s 2004 George W. Morey Award for his research on the structures, properties and applications of phosphate glasses; the UMR Faculty Excellence Award and Outstanding Teaching Award; the Sustained Excellence in Teaching Award from the UMR School of Materials, Energy and Earth Resources; and the American Ceramic Society’s Karl Schwartzwalder Professional Achievement in Ceramic Engineering Award. Brow also received R&D Magazine’s R&D 100 Award in 1996 for his work on developing hermetic sealing glasses for aluminum components. He was the first American recipient of the Gottardi Prize, given annually by the International Commission on Glass for contributions to glass science and technology.
Brow is a fellow in the American Ceramic Society and serves on the executive committee of the society’s Glass and Optical Materials Division and chairing that division in 2002-2003. He also served as associated editor for the Journal of the American Ceramic Society from 1997-2002 and currently serves on the editorial board of the Center for Glass Research’s journal, Glass Researcher.
Prior to joining UMR, Brow was on the technical staff of the Ceramics Development Division at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, N.M., from 1985-1998. He also served as an adjunct professor of chemical and nuclear engineering at the University of New Mexico from 1990-1996.
Brow received a bachelor of science degree in ceramic engineering and a master of science degree in glass science from Alfred University in New York, in 1980 and 1982, respectively. He received a Ph.D. in ceramic science from The Pennsylvania State University in 1985.
