Biographical Sketch

Dr. Overfelt is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering in the Materials Engineering Program at Auburn University.  He received the Ph. D. in Materials Science and Engineering from Vanderbilt University in 1984.  Dr. Overfelt was a Philpott-WestPoint Stevens Distinguished Professor at Auburn University from 2002-2005 and was appointed a Fellow of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) in 2006.  He served on the Editorial Board of Materials and Metallurgical Transactions B from 2000 - 2007.    Dr. Overfelt worked on NASA’s Space Station Utilization Advisory Committee from 2001-2004 and has contributed to various technical committees of professional societies including the AIAA, ASME, and AFS. 

 

Dr. Overfelt worked for General Electric Corporation from 1981-1986 on a variety of metallurgical engineering assignments with responsibilities for manufacturing process and materials development.  While with General Electric, he completed the GE "A", "B", and "C" Advanced Courses in Engineering as well as the Edison Engineering Leadership Program.   After 5 years at Vanderbilt University as an Assistant Research Professor, Dr. Overfelt joined Auburn University in 1991.  In the mid 1990s he founded a consortium including academia, the private sector, NASA and other government agencies to develop scientific and engineering data and design techniques for improved manufacturing processes.  His work in this area led to the formation of the Solidification Design Center which supported the work of scientists and engineers from six universities (including MIT and Purdue University) as well as five high-tech small businesses and included collaborations with government researchers at NIST, LLNL, MSFC and GRC.  Center funding was provided by NASA, DoD, and private industry and to the development and safety certification of an advanced, tele-operated electromagnetic instrument for high-temperature materials research on the International Space Station.  In 2008 Dr. Overfelt was appointed Executive Director of the FAA-sponsored National Air Transportation Center of Excellence for Airliner Cabin Environment Research (ACER).  In this capacity he provides leadership for a seven university consortium performing research on environmental engineering and health effects on aircraft and related public transportation vehicles.

 

Dr. Overfelt has authored or co-authored over 150 papers in journals and conference proceedings, holds 2 patents, and has made numerous technical presentations.  In addition, he is currently the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Auburn Water Works Board (local municipal water agency) as well as a Board member of the non-profit Mercy Medical Clinic (low-cost health care for the poor in East Alabama) where he is also an active volunteer.