Bahr to direct School of Mechanical, Materials Engineering

PULLMAN, Wash. – Professor David Bahr has been named director of the School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering. He replaces Hussein Zbib, who steps down after holding the position since 2004.
 
Bahr, a member of the Washington State University faculty since 1997, most recently has served as undergraduate research director and has been a leader in efforts to encourage undergraduate participation in research.
 
“Dr. Bahr is a highly successful faculty member in virtually every aspect – an outstanding researcher, extraordinary teacher and mentor, and a nationally recognized leader in undergraduate research programs,’’ said Candis Claiborn, dean of the College of Engineering and Architecture. “I am very pleased that he has accepted this position, and I look forward to working with him on exciting future endeavors.’’
 
Bahr established WSU’s longstanding National Science Foundation-supported Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program in materials engineering. Through the undergraduate research office, he also helped establish several other REU programs as well as an introductory week-long program for freshmen in laboratory research.
 
WSU provides more opportunities for undergraduates in research than any university in the Northwest.
 
Bahr has advised WSU’s student chapter of Material Advantage, which has received numerous awards.
His research interests include mechanical properties of thin films, micromechanics of fracture, adhesion and corrosion, and environmentally assisted cracking. He holds five patents and has received more than $15 million in grant support. He has more than 120 peer-reviewed journal papers. He has advised 16 Ph.D. and 28 master’s degree students.
Bahr has received several prestigious awards, including the Robert Lansing Hardy Award from the Minerals, Metals & Materials Society (TMS), the Bradley Stoughton Award for Engineering Education from the American Society for Metals (ASM International), the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) from the federal government, and the 2009 Anjan Bose Outstanding Researcher Award from the College of Engineering and Architecture.
Bahr holds a Ph.D. in materials science from the University of Minnesota and bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Purdue University.