Alec Gallimore Awarded the Stuhlinger Medal

Alec D. Gallimore, Robert J. Vlasic Dean of Engineering, Richard F. and Eleanor A. Towner Professor of Engineering, and Arthur F. Thurnau Professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering was awarded the Stuhlinger Medal for achievement in electric propulsion from the Electric Rocket Propulsion Society.

The Ernst Stuhlinger Medal for Outstanding Achievement in Electric Propulsion is awarded on the basis of  technical or leadership contributions, contributions of the recipient’s team, quality and volume of publications, and technical or leadership distinction over an extended period of time. It is the highest distinction given in recognition of outstanding contributions in Electric Propulsion engineering.

On receiving this honor, Dean Gallimore commented, “The Stuhlinger Medal is an achievement that honors the deep contributions from leaders in our field, and I’m grateful and humbled to be a recipient. This award is the result of years of collaboration with my colleagues at the University of Michigan and others around the world, but mostly it’s a result of the wonderful graduate students and postdocs I have had the honor to work with over the years. I receive this knowing our work together has made this possible.”

Gallimore founded the Plasmadynamics & Electric Propulsion Laboratory (PEPL). He has graduated 44 PhD students and 14 MS students in the fields of electric propulsion and plasma physics. With over 360 archival journal articles and conference papers, 2 book chapters, and 4 patents to his name, Gallimore’s research contributions have been long standing in the field.

Dean Gallimore’s research focus on electric propulsion, plasma diagnostics, space plasma simulation, and related fields have involved extensive design and testing experience with a number of electric propulsion devices including various thrusters (Hall, ion, RF, and microwave, MPD), arcjets, and multimegawatt pulsed coaxial plasma accelerators. 

His deep history of research and teaching at the University of Michigan began as an assistant professor in 1992. Gallimore’s leadership contributions to the university led to increasing roles in administration and academia, and he was appointed dean of the College of Engineering in 2016. The long list of positions, professional service and accomplishments is a testament to his dedication to his research and the people with whom he works.

Dean Gallimore is a fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) and a member of the National Academy of Engineering.