Dr. Mark Tschopp
ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. (June 17, 2016) -- The professional society ASM International recognizes its mid-career members annually with the Silver Medal Award for excellence in research, leadership, and professional service.
This year, ASM International selected materials scientist Dr. Mark A. Tschopp, from the U.S. Army Research Laboratory's Weapons and Materials Research Directorate as its award recipient.
"It's a huge honor that is given to at most two mid-career researchers each year – one from academia and one from industry or national laboratories," Tschopp said.
The professional society ASM International, which was founded in 1913, is the world's largest association of materials scientists and engineers.
Tschopp is a team leader and staff research scientist in ARL's Lightweight and Specialty Metals Branch.
"I'm interested in integrating computational and experimental techniques to design materials for lightweight vehicle applications, Soldier protection systems and lethality applications in support of the warfighter and the mission of the U.S. Army," Tschopp said.
Dr. Tschopp has made outstanding contributions to integrated computational materials engineering and materials science in general through his work in this area and his leadership within this community. He was the primary author or co-author of more than 70 peer-reviewed journal papers, which have currently been cited over 1600 times, and has given more than 50 invited talks at national and international conferences, universities, and other laboratories. In terms of service, Tschopp has been an active volunteer within ASM International, organizing an all-invited talk symposium for early career professionals three years in a row at the MS&T conference. Dr. Tschopp's achievements have positively impacted research in materials science and engineering and his service has positively impacted ASM International.
"Mark is an excellent researcher that has made significant contributions to our atomic-level understanding of how materials science and engineering bridges with the field of solid mechanics," wrote Mark F. Horstemeyer, Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems chair in computational solid mechanics and professor of mechanical engineering at Mississippi State University, recommending him for the award. "Mark has clearly established himself in a very short time as a most accomplished researcher while finding the time to contribute through both service and leadership to ASM International."
Tschopp earned a doctorate in materials science and engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 2007, a master of science in metallurgical engineering in 1999 and a bachelor of science in metallurgical engineering in 1998 both from Missouri University of Science and Technology.
Then-acting WMRD Director Dr. Jeff Zabinski wrote a letter of recommendation on Tschopp's behalf.
"I have witnessed first-hand the positive impact on productivity and camaraderie that Dr. Tschopp has had within our organization since joining us a little over two years ago," he said. "We gained someone with clear vision of how experimental and computational programs could effectively complement one another."
The Silver Medal Award citation reads, "For distinguished and sustained contributions in computational materials science, solid mechanics, processing-structure-property relationships, materials design for integrated computational materials engineering, and for service to ASM International."
The society will officially present Tschopp with the award during its Materials Science and Technology 2016 conference in Salt Lake City, Utah, later this year.
"I'm noticeably excited about the Silver Medal Award because having served on award selection panels before, I have seen all the great applicants for awards of this nature in the past," Tschopp said. "I'm truly honored to be presented with this award. Last, but not least, I am truly thankful of all the great mentors, colleagues, postdocs, and students that I have had the opportunity to work with and learn from over years."
