The Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute (GTMI) congratulates Dr. Richard S. Cowan (Ph.D. 2002, MSME 1992, Georgia Tech) for being elected a Fellow of ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers). He is one of 3,488 Fellows out of 107,982 ASME members to be so honored since the association began the program in the 1960s. Dr. Cowan is a senior research scientist and the director of the GTMI Laboratory for Extreme Tribology & Diagnostics.

Dr. Bharat Bhushan, Ohio Eminent Scholar and The Howard D. Winbigler Professor at Ohio State University, put together Dr. Cowan’s nomination for the Fellow grade. He wrote the following in support of Dr. Cowan, “For over three decades, Dr. Richard S. Cowan has been an accomplished Project Manager, successfully leading high-profile multidisciplinary programs of basic and applied research, while envisioning, designing and equipping a Laboratory for Extreme Tribology & Diagnostics. The Lab is internationally recognized for advancing electromagnetic launcher longevity and equipment health management. He has been an advocate for the mechanical engineering profession, assuming a variety of leadership roles, including Segment Lead of the ASME Technical Events & Content Sector (2014-16), ASME-appointed delegate to the International Tribology Council (2011-14), and subject matter expert to the U.S. House of Representatives as an ASME-sponsored Congressional Engineering Fellow (1998).”

Dr. Cowan has also held engineering and management positions at TRW Bearings Division (presently SKF Aeroengine North America) and Cummins Engine Company. He is a professional engineer, registered in the state of New York. In 2012, he received the Donald F. Wilcock Award from the ASME Tribology Division for distinguished service to the tribology community throughout his professional career.