Jonathan Colton, professor in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering and the School of Industrial Design, was recently named one of thirteen Jefferson Science Fellows for the upcoming academic year of 2013-2014. Established in 2003, this is the tenth class of fellows selected as an initiative of the Office of Science and Technology Advisor to the U.S. Secretary of State. The Jefferson Science Fellows program is designed to further build capacity for science, technology, and engineering expertise within the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Colton will begin his assignment in August 2013.

The Jefferson Science Fellowship is open to tenured, or similarly ranked, academic scientists, engineers, and physicians from U.S. institutions of higher learning, who are U.S. citizens. Each Fellow will spend one year at the U.S. Department of State or USAID for an on-site assignment in Washington, D.C. that may also involve extended stays at U.S. foreign embassies and/or missions. Following the fellowship year, the Jefferson Science Fellow will return to his academic career, but will remain available to the U.S. Department of State and USAID for projects over the subsequent five years.

“I am looking forward to this exciting opportunity to work with the U.S. State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development on their important missions around the world.  This is a wonderful chance for Georgia Tech and me to contribute to the service of our Nation," Colton said. 

Colton is a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and of the Society of Plastics Engineers. His research interests include polymer and polymer composites processing, design, manufacturing, and humanitarian design and engineering. Colton obtained his S.B., S.M., and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, prior to joining Georgia Tech’s faculty in 1985.

Learn about all of the 2013-2014 Jefferson Science Fellows.