A message from MS&E department chair Izabela Szlufarska

Greetings from Madison!

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering is reflecting on a season of exciting progress. Our faculty, staff and students continue to push boundaries in research and education, and we are proud to share some of the highlights with you.

This fall, construction for the new engineering building is moving forward, and we are eager to see how the expanded space will transform our undergraduate laboratories and strengthen MS&E’s presence on the engineering campus. The building will be a cornerstone for the next generation of engineers, and we look forward to welcoming you back to see it in person once doors open.

At the same time, we’ve been making exciting improvements right here in our existing spaces. Over the past few months, our department has been able to replace aging equipment and add new instruments. These upgrades are already transforming the teaching lab experience into one that is modern, engaging and accessible to learners at all levels. It’s been wonderful to see even our first-year undergraduate students dive into experiments with tools that reflect the cutting-edge nature of our field.

We were also recently recognized by U.S. News & World Report as ninth overall among materials science and engineering programs at public universities for their 2026 rankings. This recognition reflects the hard work of our faculty, staff, and students, as well as the strong foundation built by alumni like you.

Our faculty continue to be widely recognized for their groundbreaking work, with several earning prestigious national and international honors this year. Among them, Assistant Professor Daniel Rhodes received the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), the highest honor the U.S. government bestows on early-career scientists and engineers. Associate Professor Jason Kawasaki was named a Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation Experimental Physics Investigator, a distinction that supports brilliant mid-career researchers advancing the frontier of fundamental science. These are just two examples of the many ways our faculty are making an impact, and we couldn’t be prouder of the collective achievements across the department.

As always, we love hearing from you. Please share your updates, career milestones, or personal stories with Cheryl Harris (cjharris5@wisc.edu) so we can celebrate your achievements in future newsletters. Your continued support and involvement are vital to our growth and success.

Thank you for being part of our community. Together, we are shaping the future of materials science and engineering.

On, Wisconsin!

Izabela Szlufarska
Harvey D. Spangler Professor
Department Chair