Ghatu Subhash
University of Florida
SEM Awards: W. M. Murray Lecture
Professor Ghatu Subhash obtained his PhD from the University of California San Diego (1991) and conducted his post-doctoral research at California Institute of Technology (1992). He joined Michigan Technological University as an Assistant Professor in 1993 and moved to University of Florida (UF) in 2006. He is currently the Newton C Ebaugh Professor in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) department. His research focuses on static and dynamic multiaxial behavior of advanced materials. His pioneering contributions in deciphering the complex deformation mechanisms in ceramics have been summarized in high impact journals such as Progress in Materials Science (68 -pages) and in a monograph Dynamic Response of Advanced ceramics (358 pages, Wiley, 2021). Thus far, his research has resulted in 218 peer-reviewed journal articles, 85 conference proceedings, 2-books, and 8 book chapters. These publications have garnered more than 10,500 citations (in Google Scholar) and an h-index of 57. His interdisciplinary research was also published in high impact journals such as Chemistry of Materials, Current Biology, International Journal of Engineering Science, Acta Biomaterialia, Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids, and Acta Materialia.
Thus far, Prof. Subhash’s innovative research has resulted in 7 patents on novel experimental techniques and processing methods. He has pioneered the concept of dynamic indentation hardness (2 patents) for rapid assessment of rate sensitivity of materials. His recent innovation on ‘Millipede Stress Waveguide’ has applications in design of machine tools, compact testing equipment, and efficient jack hammers (patented and licensed). For contributing to the fundamental understanding of the behavior of ceramics, he was recognized by the 2024 James I. Mueller Memorial Award and conference plenary lecture at the ICACC (Jan 2024) by the Engineering Ceramics Division of the American Ceramic Society (ACerS). For his outstanding contributions to Experimental Mechanics he received the 2021 Lazan Award from the Society for Experimental Mechanics (SEM). In addition, he also received UF Technology Innovator Award (twice) and UF Research Foundation Professorship (twice). For development of rapid processing method for fabrication of net-shaped UO2 ceramic fuel pellets he received ‘Significant Contribution Award’ from the American Nuclear Society.
Prof. Subhash has mentored 8 postdoctoral fellows and advised 41 PhD and 16 MS students. His undergraduate mentees conducted independent research, co-authored peer-reviewed articles, received prestigious NSF-GRFP, DOD-SMART and DOD-NDSEG fellowships during their PhD, and received ‘Best Paper/Poster’ awards at professional society competitions. His former students are employed at universities (in the US, China, and India), national laboratories (ARL, PNNL, SNL, and ORNL) and in defense/automotive/aerospace industries. For his outstanding scholarship and mentorship, he was awarded the University of Florida Doctoral Dissertation Advisor/Mentoring Award (2021) and the UF Term Professorship (2014 and 2021).
Prof. Subhash is a Fellow of ASME, SEM and ACerS, and Editor-in-Chief of the journal, ‘Mechanics of Materials’. He has served on the National Research Council’s National Academies of Engineering, Science and Medicine Panel, as the Chair of the SEM 75th Anniversary Program, Chair of the SEM ‘Committee of Fellows’, member of the ‘ASME Spirit of St. Louis Award’ committee, the ‘ACerS Sosman Award’ committee, and the SEM Executive committee. His commitment to education was recognized by the SEM ‘Frocht Award’ for outstanding achievements as an educator, UF College of Engineering ‘Teacher/Scholar of the Year’, ‘MAE Researcher of the Year’, ASME Student Section Advisor Award, ‘SAE Ralph R. Teetor Educational Award’, ‘ASEE Outstanding New Mechanics Educator’ award, and ‘Commendation Letters’ from the Michigan Legislature and the Governor. He has delivered 2-day specialized technical courses for practicing engineers/scientists on ‘Dynamic Response of Materials’ at General Motors, Johns Hopkins University, and ACerS. His research was showcased in a PBS documentary “Secrets of Spanish Florida” in the Series “Secrets of the Dead” (aired nationwide in Dec 2017) where he unraveled the mystery behind the impact-resistance of Coquina (the material with which the oldest fort in the USA – the Castillo de San Marcos, St. Augustine, FL, was built) against cannon ball impacts during the seize by the British army in the 1702.
Prof. Subhash enjoys bicycling, trekking, and travelling with his family.
Thus far, Prof. Subhash’s innovative research has resulted in 7 patents on novel experimental techniques and processing methods. He has pioneered the concept of dynamic indentation hardness (2 patents) for rapid assessment of rate sensitivity of materials. His recent innovation on ‘Millipede Stress Waveguide’ has applications in design of machine tools, compact testing equipment, and efficient jack hammers (patented and licensed). For contributing to the fundamental understanding of the behavior of ceramics, he was recognized by the 2024 James I. Mueller Memorial Award and conference plenary lecture at the ICACC (Jan 2024) by the Engineering Ceramics Division of the American Ceramic Society (ACerS). For his outstanding contributions to Experimental Mechanics he received the 2021 Lazan Award from the Society for Experimental Mechanics (SEM). In addition, he also received UF Technology Innovator Award (twice) and UF Research Foundation Professorship (twice). For development of rapid processing method for fabrication of net-shaped UO2 ceramic fuel pellets he received ‘Significant Contribution Award’ from the American Nuclear Society.
Prof. Subhash has mentored 8 postdoctoral fellows and advised 41 PhD and 16 MS students. His undergraduate mentees conducted independent research, co-authored peer-reviewed articles, received prestigious NSF-GRFP, DOD-SMART and DOD-NDSEG fellowships during their PhD, and received ‘Best Paper/Poster’ awards at professional society competitions. His former students are employed at universities (in the US, China, and India), national laboratories (ARL, PNNL, SNL, and ORNL) and in defense/automotive/aerospace industries. For his outstanding scholarship and mentorship, he was awarded the University of Florida Doctoral Dissertation Advisor/Mentoring Award (2021) and the UF Term Professorship (2014 and 2021).
Prof. Subhash is a Fellow of ASME, SEM and ACerS, and Editor-in-Chief of the journal, ‘Mechanics of Materials’. He has served on the National Research Council’s National Academies of Engineering, Science and Medicine Panel, as the Chair of the SEM 75th Anniversary Program, Chair of the SEM ‘Committee of Fellows’, member of the ‘ASME Spirit of St. Louis Award’ committee, the ‘ACerS Sosman Award’ committee, and the SEM Executive committee. His commitment to education was recognized by the SEM ‘Frocht Award’ for outstanding achievements as an educator, UF College of Engineering ‘Teacher/Scholar of the Year’, ‘MAE Researcher of the Year’, ASME Student Section Advisor Award, ‘SAE Ralph R. Teetor Educational Award’, ‘ASEE Outstanding New Mechanics Educator’ award, and ‘Commendation Letters’ from the Michigan Legislature and the Governor. He has delivered 2-day specialized technical courses for practicing engineers/scientists on ‘Dynamic Response of Materials’ at General Motors, Johns Hopkins University, and ACerS. His research was showcased in a PBS documentary “Secrets of Spanish Florida” in the Series “Secrets of the Dead” (aired nationwide in Dec 2017) where he unraveled the mystery behind the impact-resistance of Coquina (the material with which the oldest fort in the USA – the Castillo de San Marcos, St. Augustine, FL, was built) against cannon ball impacts during the seize by the British army in the 1702.
Prof. Subhash enjoys bicycling, trekking, and travelling with his family.
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Last Updated: 11/01/2024
