Dr. Thomas Kurfess

Biography

Professor Thomas Kurfess began his academic career at Carnegie Mellon University, where he rose to the rank of Associate Professor. In 1994, he moved to the Georgia Institute of Technology, achieving the rank of Professor in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering. He held the BMW Chair in Manufacturing at Clemson University's International Center for Automotive Research before returning to Georgia Tech as a Professor with the HUSCO/Ramirez Distinguished Chair in Fluid Power and Motion Control. Kurfess served as the Assistant Director of the Advanced Manufacturing Office at the White House's Office of Science and Technology Policy and as the Chief Manufacturing Officer and founding Director of the Manufacturing Science Division at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. He is currently the President of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and holds various board positions in manufacturing and engineering organizations. His research focuses on the design and development of advanced manufacturing systems, particularly in the automotive sector and high precision manufacturing metrology systems. Kurfess has received numerous awards for his contributions to the field, including the NSF Young Investigator Award and election to the National Academy of Engineering.

Research Interests