Dr. Gary S. Was
Walter J. Weber, Jr. Professor Emeritus of Sustainable Energy, Environmental and Earth Systems Engineering
International Scientists Award – Best Researcher Award
Professor Gary S. Was stands as one of the world’s preeminent authorities in radiation materials science, nuclear engineering, and materials degradation in extreme environments. Currently the Walter J. Weber, Jr. Professor Emeritus of Sustainable Energy, Environmental and Earth Systems Engineering and Professor Emeritus of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences at the University of Michigan, Dr. Was has dedicated over four decades to advancing our understanding of how materials behave under the harsh conditions found in nuclear reactors and other extreme environments.
Educational Foundation
Dr. Was earned his Sc.D. in Nuclear Materials from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1980, preceded by his S.M. in Nuclear Engineering (1977) and B.S. in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Michigan (1975). This solid foundation in both materials science and nuclear engineering positioned him uniquely to tackle the complex challenges at the intersection of these fields.
Distinguished Career and Leadership
Throughout his illustrious career at the University of Michigan (1980-2021), Dr. Was served in numerous leadership roles that shaped both the institution and the broader nuclear engineering community. As Chair of the Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences (1994-1999), he led strategic planning initiatives, established external advisory boards, and secured congressional support for nuclear engineering education. His tenure as Associate Dean for Research in the College of Engineering (2000-2005) saw him oversee $140M in research funding while developing strategic research partnerships with industry.
From 2006-2009, Dr. Was served as Director of the Michigan Memorial Phoenix Energy Institute, where he led the university’s comprehensive energy initiative, coordinating multidisciplinary research across campus and establishing new faculty positions in critical growth areas.
Research Excellence and Innovation
Dr. Was’s research has fundamentally advanced our understanding of radiation effects in materials, with particular emphasis on:
Irradiation-Assisted Stress Corrosion Cracking (IASCC)
His pioneering work on IASCC has revealed the mechanisms by which radiation damage promotes environmentally assisted cracking in nuclear reactor components, leading to improved materials selection and mitigation strategies.
Ion Irradiation as Neutron Surrogate
Dr. Was developed and refined techniques using ion irradiation to simulate neutron damage, enabling accelerated testing and reducing reliance on expensive reactor irradiations. This work has become the international standard for radiation effects research.
High-Temperature Corrosion and Environmental Degradation
His comprehensive studies of materials behavior in supercritical water and other extreme environments have informed the development of next-generation nuclear reactors and advanced energy systems.
Laboratory Leadership and Infrastructure
Dr. Was established and directed three major research facilities that serve as international resources:
- Michigan Ion Beam Laboratory for Surface Modification and Analysis: One of the most well-equipped laboratories of its kind, featuring multiple ion accelerators and specialized facilities for radiation damage studies.
- High Temperature Corrosion Laboratory: Unique capabilities for stress corrosion cracking testing in light water reactor environments.
- Irradiated Materials Testing Laboratory: Specialized facilities for testing neutron-irradiated materials under prototypic reactor conditions.
Publications and Scholarly Impact
With an h-index of 69 (Scopus) and 76 (Google Scholar), Dr. Was has authored over 336 archival journal articles, 5 textbooks (including the definitive “Fundamentals of Radiation Materials Science: Metals and Alloys”), and numerous book chapters. His textbook has been translated into Russian, Japanese, and Chinese, reflecting its global impact. He has delivered 142 invited conference talks and 133 invited seminars worldwide, establishing him as a sought-after expert in his field.
Mentorship and Human Capital Development
Dr. Was has supervised 49 Ph.D. students who have gone on to leadership positions in academia, national laboratories, and industry. His commitment to education extends beyond individual mentorship to curriculum development and program innovation, including the establishment of dual-track undergraduate programs and comprehensive graduate research programs.
International Recognition and Awards
Dr. Was’s contributions have been recognized through numerous prestigious awards:
- Institute of Metals Lecture and Robert Franklin Mehl Award, TMS (2025)
- T.P. Hoar Award, Institute of Corrosion (2020)
- Member of the EU Academy of Sciences (2018)
- Glenn Murphy Award, American Society for Engineering Education (2017)
- Mishima Award, American Nuclear Society (2017)
- Lee Hsun Award, Institute of Metals Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences (2013)
- Henry Marion Howe Medal, ASM International (2008)
- Champion H. Matthewson Medal, TMS (2000)
He holds fellowships in multiple professional societies including TMS, MRS, ANS, ASM International, and NACE International.
Service and Professional Leadership
Dr. Was has served the scientific community through numerous editorial and advisory roles, including:
- Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Nuclear Materials (2016-present)
- Chair, International Atomic Energy Agency Coordinated Research Project (2016-present)
- Board of Directors, International Cooperative Group on Environmentally Assisted Cracking
- Multiple National Academies committees on nuclear laboratory quality and corrosion education
Current Research and Future Impact
Even in emeritus status, Dr. Was continues active research with current projects totaling over $6.7M in funding, including:
- Grand Challenge for Accelerated Deployment of Advanced Reactors ($3M, DOE-NEUP)
- Response of Candidate Fusion Blanket Materials to Ion Irradiation ($1.8M, DOE)
- Neutron-Ion Handshake for Advanced Reactor Materials ($1.2M, Commonwealth Fusion Energy Systems)
Global Impact and Legacy
Dr. Was’s work transcends traditional academic boundaries, directly impacting nuclear safety, reactor design, and materials qualification for both current and advanced reactor systems. His development of accelerated testing methodologies has enabled rapid materials qualification for new reactor designs, potentially accelerating the deployment of clean nuclear energy technologies.
His international collaborations span continents, with significant partnerships in Europe, Asia, and beyond. The techniques and methodologies he developed are now standard practice in radiation effects research worldwide.
Vision for the Future
Throughout his career, Dr. Was has consistently advocated for nuclear energy as a critical component of the global clean energy portfolio. His research directly supports the safe, efficient operation of existing nuclear plants while enabling the development of advanced reactor concepts that could provide abundant, carbon-free energy for future generations.
Conclusion
Professor Gary S. Was exemplifies the ideal of a researcher whose work bridges fundamental science and practical application. His four-decade commitment to understanding and solving materials challenges in extreme environments has advanced both scientific knowledge and technological capability. Through his research, teaching, and service, he has built a lasting legacy that continues to influence nuclear engineering and materials science globally.
His nomination for the International Scientists Award – Best Researcher Award recognizes not only his outstanding individual contributions but also his role in developing the next generation of scientists and engineers who will tackle the energy and materials challenges of the 21st century.
For correspondence and additional information: gsw@umich.edu