Dickey named Distinguished Professor of Materials Science and Engineering

Dr. Elizabeth Dickey has been named Distinguished Professor of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) at North Carolina State University. Dickey has been a member of the NC State faculty since 2011.

Additionally, Dickey is the associate department head for MSE, director of the Center for Dielectrics and Piezoelectrics and director of the National Science Foundation Research Traineeship on Data-Enabled Science and Engineering of Atomic Structure.

Her research focuses on developing processing-structure-property relationships for material systems in which the macroscopic physical properties (mechanical, electrical, thermal, etc.) are governed by grain boundaries or internal interfaces. Particular emphasis is placed on understanding the role of grain boundary chemistry on electrical and chemical transport. In addition, she is interested in understanding the role of microstructure and interfaces on the mechanical properties of eutectic ceramic composites, which are being developed for high-temperature and armor applications. Her research involves using an array of analytical techniques, in particular electron microscopy and spectroscopy, to understand the structure and chemistry of internal defects in materials. She has more than 150 peer-reviewed journal publications in these areas with more than 12,000 citations.

She is a Fellow of the American Ceramic Society, received the Richard M. Fulrath Award from the American Ceramic Society, is a Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) recipient and a Northwestern University Early Career Achievement Award for Alumni in MSE recipient.

Dickey received her B.S. in materials engineering in 1992 from the University of Kentucky and her Ph.D. in materials science and engineering at Northwestern University in 1997.