Dr. Kenneth Goodson

Biography

Ken Goodson specializes in heat transfer and energy conversion applications, particularly in areas such as electric vehicles, data centers, and portable electronic devices. He has mentored over 55 Stanford graduate students towards their doctoral degrees across disciplines including Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Materials Science, many of whom have gone on to become professors at renowned institutions such as MIT, Princeton, and Stanford. Goodson has played a significant role in major research programs, including the DARPA ICECool initiative. His leadership as Chair of Mechanical Engineering from 2008 to 2019 led to a transformation of the department's education and diversity, and he has held several administrative positions such as Vice Provost for Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs. Goodson is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and has received numerous awards for mentorship and innovation, including the Aristotle Award from the Semiconductor Research Corporation. He holds 35 patents and co-founded Cooligy, a startup specializing in thermal management solutions. His ongoing research includes pioneering methods for cooling in power electronics and developing innovative microfluidic heat sink technologies.

Research Interests

Experience