Michael West
Education
M.S., Texas A & M University
Ph.D., University of Tennessee
Breif Bio
Dr. West is an associate professor and head of the Department of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering. Dr. West has led and supported many initiatives to improve STEM Education on campus including the NSF Course, Curriculum, and Laboratory Improvement (CCLI) “Back in Black” Blacksmithing program, the NSF S-STEM “Culture and Attitude” program for women in engineering, and the NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates Site (REU) “Back to the Future”. Dr. West is active in several professional societies including ASM (directing the ASM Materials Camp for high school students), The Minerals, Metals and Materials Society (serving on the TMS Bladesmithing Committee), and the American Welding Society (serving as faculty advisor for the Black Hills American Welding Society chapter). He also supports research in the Arbegast Advanced Materials Processing Laboratory.
Research Expertise
Dr. West’s research interests focus on structure-property-relationships of advanced alloys. His focus areas include friction stir processing and advanced characterization and testing of advanced alloys used in automotive, aerospace, and energy applications.
Teaching
Dr. West teaches Structure and Properties of Materials, Thermomechanical Processing, and Welding Engineering.