Faculty

Dr. Bates is an Assistant Professor in Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Utah. His research explores the physics of ski glide performance, where he works with the US Ski and Snowboard Team to investigate the glide performance of competition ski waxes, 3D printed soft robotics that detect the presence of molecules in the body and release a drug in response, and microplastics and their presence in the environment and their impact on human health. Dr. Bates earned his PhD at the University of Utah.

More about Jeff Bates

Email: jeff.bates@utah.edu 

Aimee Birdsall is an Associate Professor in the Department of Engineering at Salt Lake Community College. With experience as a bridge engineer and research in civil engineering materials—concrete, reinforcing steel, and infrastructure durability—she brings real-world insight to teaching. In her current role, Aimee works to make engineering accessible and engaging for all students, creating learning experiences that link concepts to practical applications. She enjoys being connected to the Crus Center and supporting undergraduate opportunities in materials research.

Kim has been a member of the Materials Science and Engineering research support staff since 2018 and has a background in materials characterization. In addition to managing the Crus Center, she supports department laboratories in both teaching and research capacities.

Contact: Kimberly.Watts@utah.edu, 385-499-4980

Christian Norman is a valley native who is a class of 2025 Metallurgical Engineering student. He is passionate about metallurgy and science in general, including work in the winning research group for NASA's BIG Idea Lunar Forge Challenge. In his free time he enjoys the odd videogame and a card game called Magic the Gathering.

While serving as Director of the Department of Metallurgical Engineering, Dr. Misra designed and oversaw the renovation of space for a research lab that in 2014 officially became known as the Roger & Dawn Crus Center for Renewable Energy (renamed the Crus Center for Metallurgy Student Research in October 2019). After earning his PhD in metallurgical engineering at the U of U, Dr. Misra became a professor at the university’s Metallurgical Engineering and Chemical Engineering departments. After retiring from the university in 2020, Dr. Misra accepted a position as a faculty member at the University of Nevada-Reno’s Chemical & and Materials Engineering Department.

Dr. Carlson was recruited in 2014 to serve as the first director of the Crus Center for Renewable Energy and remained director after it was renamed the Crus Center for Metallurgy Student Research. As a metallurgical engineering professor, Dr. Carlson helped develop the Crus Scholar Program, launched in 2016, and was a mentor to many of the undergraduate metallurgy students who were accepted into the program. She earned her PhD in glass science at the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University and was a development scientist at Corning, Inc., a manufacturer of glass, ceramics and related materials, before joining the U of U. Dr. Carlson joined the University of Nevada-Reno’s Chemical & Materials Engineering Department as a faculty member in 2021.