Aaron Adams
Aaron Lee Adams, Ph.D. is the Assistant Chair and Associate Professor in the Engineering Technology Department at Kennesaw State University. He combines administrative leadership with a passion for teaching and research in his dual role. His academic focus centers on innovative materials for nuclear applications, emphasizing advancing sustainability and increasing the representation of minorities in engineering and graduate education. Dr. Adams has also been a key collaborator in making Kennesaw State University a member of the National GEM Consortium (Graduate Education for Minorities), showcasing his commitment to fostering diversity and excellence in engineering.
Dr. Adams recently received a prestigious joint appointment with Idaho National Laboratory (INL), making him the first KSU professor to earn this distinction. This collaboration enhances research capabilities within the Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology (SPCEET). It creates invaluable opportunities for students to engage in hands-on learning and applied engineering research in nuclear applications.
Dr. Adams brings a wealth of industry and academic experience to his position. Before joining KSU, he held engineering roles at Ford Motor Company, NASA, and Nucor Steel. He contributed to the Department of Energy-funded research as a Research Assistant at the University of Alabama, where he completed his MS and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering and an MS in Marketing. His doctoral research, conducted in collaboration with Brookhaven National Laboratory, focused on the thermal annealing of cadmium zinc telluride crystals for nuclear radiation detectors. While at Alabama, he also participated in an Engineers Without Borders project that brought clean water and solar lighting to rural villages in Iquitos, Peru.
Earlier in his career, Dr. Adams worked as a product design engineer at Ford Motor Company, addressing environmental challenges through innovative policies. He also served as a National Academy of Engineering Mirzayan Fellow in 2013, exploring strategies to develop, retain, and promote underrepresented engineers. His contributions include a consensus study funded by the NSF, The Status, Role, and Needs of Engineering Technology Education in the United States.
An alumnus of Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University (AAMU), where he earned his BS in Mechanical Engineering Technology, Dr. Adams has served as an associate professor in both the Mechanical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering Technology departments at AAMU. Outside of his professional endeavors, he enjoys watching sports, exploring new technologies, and engaging in community outreach to inspire future engineers.
Awards
Kennesaw State Engineering Professor Appointed to Nuclear Lab - News
