Alec Gallimore

Research Interests:

Electric Propulsion
Space Propulsion
Plasma Physics

Biography:

Dr. Alec D. Gallimore is the Robert J. Vlasic Dean of Engineering at the University of Michigan. Dean Gallimore is a rocket scientist, and in 2019 was elected to the National Academy of Engineering--among the highest professional distinctions accorded to an engineer. He is a leader in the field of advanced electric propulsion, who has excelled in research, teaching, and service. His experience and creativity have led to program innovations to assist the growth of faculty and students. He is passionate about creating an inclusive environment and ensuring all individuals are treated with equity.

Dean Gallimore has been a faculty member at the University of Michigan since January 1992. He is the Richard F. and Eleanor A. Towner Professor of Engineering, and Arthur F. Thurnau Professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering, and founder and director of the Plasmadynamics and Electric Propulsion Laboratory. He is also a member of the Applied Physics faculty. He co-founded MCubed, a real-time seed-funding program for high-risk, multidisciplinary research--now adopted University-wide.

Previously, Dean Gallimore served as associate dean for academic affairs in the College of Engineering, where he had oversight of faculty hiring, promotion and tenure; merit reviews, budget reviews and planning; and space allocation. From 2011-2013, Dean Gallimore was associate dean for research and graduate education. In this role, he was responsible for the education and welfare of some 3300 graduate students and 200 postdoctoral fellows, and for overseeing a research enterprise that exceeded $200M annually in expenditures. From 2005 to 2011, he served as an associate dean at the Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies, where he developed and implemented programs in engineering, the physical sciences, and mathematics. Dr. Gallimore’s term as Robert J. Vlasic Dean of Engineering began in July 2016.  

He has served on a number of advisory boards for NASA and the Department of Defense, including the United States Air Force Scientific Advisory Board (AFSAB). He was awarded the Decoration for Meritorious Civilian Service in 2005 for his AFSAB work. In 2010, he was elected a fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). He has graduated 41 Ph.D. students and 14 master’s students and has written more than 360 publications on electric propulsion and plasma physics.  

He currently serves on Georgia Tech's College of Engineering External Advisory Board, the University of Colorado, Boulder College of Engineering & Applied Science External Advisory Council, Case Western Reserve University's Case School of Engineering Visiting Committee, Cornell’s Engineering College Council, the University Musical Society Board of Directors, the University of Michigan School of Nursing Board for Science and Innovation, the University of Michigan School of Education Dean’s Advisory Council, the Board of Directors for the Engineering Society of Detroit, and the Board of Directors for ANSYS, Inc. (NASDAQ: ANSS).

POSITIONS HELD AT MICHIGAN

• Robert J. Vlasic Dean of Engineering (2016-present)
• Richard F. and Eleanor A. Towner Professor of Engineering (appointed 2015)
• Associate Dean for Academic Affairs (2014-2016)
• Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Education (2011-2013)
• Arthur F. Thurnau Professor (appointed 2006)
• Associate Dean for Academic Programs and Initiatives, Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies (2005-2011)
• Professor (2004-present)
• Associate Professor (1998-2004)
• Associate Professor of Applied Physics (1998-2004)
• Director, Michigan Space Grant Consortium (NASA) (2000-present)
• Head of the Plasmadynamics and Electric Propulsion Laboratory (PEPL)
• Assistant Professor of Applied Physics (1994-1998)
• Assistant Professor (1992-1998)

Society Memberships:

• AIAA (Amercian Institute of Astronautics and Aeronautics) – Fellow
• Electric Rocket Propulsion Society (ERPS) – Board Member
• ASEE (American Society for Engineering Education)
• Assoc. Editor for AIAA Journal of Propulsion & Power
• Assoc. Editor for Joint Army, Navy, NASA, Air Force (JANNAF) Propulsion Journal
• Defense Science Board Task Force on Force Modernization 1999
• Secretary for Electric Rocket Propulsion Society (ERPS)
• Member of Defense Science Study Group (DSSG) 1995-1997
• Member, Air Force Scientific Advisory Board, 2001-2005
• Advisor, Air Force Scientific Advisory Board, 2005-present
• Sigma Gamma Tau
• Sigma Xi
• Tau Beta Pi
• Member, National Academy of Engineering, 2019
  

Publications:

• Haas, J. M., Gallimore, A. D., and McFall, K., and Spanjers, G., “Development of a High-Speed, Reciprocating Electrostatic Probe System for Hall Thruster Interrogation,” Review of Scientific Instruments, Vol. 71, No. 11, November 2000, 4131-4138.
• King, L. B., and Gallimore, A. D., “Mass Spectral Measurements in the Plume of an SPT-100 Hall Thruster,” Journal of Propulsion and Power (AIAA), Vol. 16, No. 6, November-December 2000, 1086-1092.
• Haas, J. M., and Gallimore, A. D., “Internal Plasma Potential Profiles in a Laboratory-Model Hall Thruster,” Physics of Plasmas, Vol. 8, No. 2, February 2001, 652-660.
• Gulczinski, F. S. and Gallimore, A. D., “Near Field Ion Energy and Species Measurements of a 5 kW Laboratory Hall Thruster ” Journal of Propulsion and Power (AIAA), Vol. 17, No. 2, March-April 2001, 418-427.
• Bilen, S. G., Domonkos, M. T., and Gallimore, A. D., “Simulating Ionospheric Plasma with a Hollow Cathode in a Large Vacuum Chamber,” Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets (AIAA), Vol. 38, No. 4, July-August 2001, 617-621.
• Gallimore, A. D., “Near- and Far-Field Characterization of Hall Thruster Plumes” Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets (AIAA), Vol. 38, No. 3, May-June, 2001, 441-453.