Dr. Markus Buehler

Professor

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Biography

Markus J. Buehler is the Jerry McAfee (1940) Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His research primarily focuses on materials science mechanics and the study of biological protein materials, known as materiomics. He investigates how protein materials, which define body functions, can fail catastrophically due to fracture, deformation, or disease. Through large-scale atomistic modeling, he explores protein-based materials and the chemistry mechanics that govern their interactions. His teaching interests span multi-scale modeling, biomechanics, and molecular mechanics, including courses on Engineering Mechanics and Atomistic Modeling. Buehler has received numerous honors throughout his career, such as the Washington Award in 2025 and the J.R. Rice Medal in 2022, and has served on editorial boards for several prestigious journals. His selected publications demonstrate the depth of his research in nanomechanics and the mechanical properties of materials. Buehler’s work continues to contribute significantly to the understanding of materials at the nano-scale and their implications for biological systems.

Research Interests

Awards

#2025

Washington Award

2025-01-01
#2022

J.R. Rice Medal

2022-01-01
#2013

TMS Hardy Award

2013-01-01
#2013

JOM Paper Award

2013-01-01
#2012

IEEE Holm Conference Mort Antler Lecture Award

2012-01-01
#2012

Society of Engineering Science Young Investigator Medal

2012-01-01
#2012

Materials Research Society Outstanding Young Investigator Award

2012-01-01
#2012

Alfred Noble Prize

2012-01-01
#2011

Thomas J.R. Hughes Young Investigator Award (ASME)

2011-01-01
#2011

Leonardo da Vinci Award

2011-01-01
#2011

Stephen Brunauer Award

2011-01-01
#2011

Rossiter W. Raymond Memorial Award

2011-01-01
#2010

Sia Nemat-Nasser Award (ASME)

2010-01-01
#2010

Harold E. Edgerton Faculty Achievement Award

2010-01-01
#

Chair, Fourth International Conference on Mechanics of Biomaterials and Tissues

2011-01-01
#2009

Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE)

2009-01-01
#2008

United States Navy Young Investigator Award

2008-01-01
#

Participant, Plenary Speaker, National Academy of Engineering Frontiers of Engineering Symposium

2008-01-01
#2008

DARPA Young Faculty Award

2008-01-01
#2008

Air Force Young Investigator Award

2008-01-01
#2007

Esther and Harold E. Edgerton Career Development Chair Professorship

2007-01-01
#2007

National Science Foundation CAREER Award

2007-01-01
#2005

Poster Award, International Conference on Mechanics of Biomaterials and Tissues

2005-01-01
#2004

Gold Graduate Student Award, Materials Research Society

2004-01-01

Courses

Introduction to Modeling and Simulation Engineering Mechanics Atomistic Modeling of Materials Structures Molecular-, Cellular-, Tissue-Biomechanics Mechanical Properties of Materials Nano Macro: Introduction to Atomistic Modeling Techniques