Keith J. Bowman
Professor · Tenured
Department of Mechanical Engineering
College of Engineering and Information Technology
He/Him/His/Himself
About
Dr. Keith J. Bowman (Pronouns: He, Him, His) has over seventeen years of leadership experience in four diverse institutions, including Purdue University and three others focused on inclusive excellence in education and research related to urban centers. His expertise includes cabinet-level leadership, financial planning, and the recruitment and mentoring of faculty across various academic fields. Dr. Bowman serves on the advisory board for the Materials Science and Engineering department at the University of Michigan.He is dedicated to improving student experiences, advocating for staff, mentoring faculty, ensuring financial accessibility, and building partnerships with industry and educational institutions. His research experience includes leading studies at national laboratories in the US and abroad, and he has successfully linked STEM faculty with leading medical researchers. He was the first out gay man to hold academic leadership positions at both Purdue and UMBC.
Dr. Bowman began his academic career in 1988 at Purdue University after earning his BS and MS degrees from Case Western Reserve University and his PhD from the University of Michigan. He progressed from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor with tenure and then to Professor. He served as Head of the Purdue School of Materials Engineering, where he helped the program rank among the top five in the nation.
His accolades include fellowships in the American Ceramic Society, multiple teaching awards at Purdue, and recognition in the Purdue Book of Great Teachers. He has published nearly two hundred works, including a textbook and numerous journal articles, and has secured over $20 million in research funding. His research focuses on ceramics, piezoelectrics, and broadening access to STEM education through various funded projects.
Research interests
Mechanical and electromechanical properties of materials, anisotropy of materials, processing and performance of metals and ceramics, additive manufacturing, x-ray diffraction, crystallographyTeaching interests
Mechanical and electromechanical properties of materials, anisotropy of materials, processing and performance of metals and ceramics, additive manufacturing, x-ray diffraction, crystallographyEducation
- Postdoc — University of Michigan (1988)
-
Ph D, Materials Science and Engineering
— University of Michigan (1987) The Effects of Thin Anodic Films on Cyclic Deformation of Tungsten.
- MS, Materials Science and Engineering — Case Western Reserve University (1983)
- BS, Metallurgy and Materials Science — Case Western Reserve University (1981)