Dr. B. B. Rath

Dr. B.B. Rath was born in Banki, India. He received a B.S. degree in physics and mathematics from Utkal University, an M.S. in metallurgical engineering from Michigan Technological University, and a Ph.D. from the Illinois Institute of Technology.

Dr. Rath was Assistant Professor of Metallurgy and Materials Science at Washington State University from 1961 to 1965. From 1965 to 1972, he was with the staff of the Edgar C. Bain Laboratory for fundamental research of the U.S. Steel Corporation. From 1972 to 1976, he headed the Metal Physics Research Group of the McDonnell Douglas Research Laboratories in St. Louis, Missouri, until he came to NRL as Head of the Physical Metallurgy Branch. During this period, he was adjunct professor at Carnegie-Mellon University, the University of Maryland, and the Colorado School of Mines. Dr. Rath served as Superintendent of the Materials Science and Technology Division from 1982 to 1986, when he was appointed to his present position.

Dr. Rath is recognized in the fields of solid-state transformations, grain boundary migrations, and structure-property relationships in metallic systems. He has published over 140 papers in these fields and edited several books and conference proceedings.

Dr. Rath serves on several planning, review, and advisory boards for both the Navy and the Department of Defense, as well as for the National Materials Advisory Board of the National Academy of Sciences, National Science Foundation, Carnegie-Mellon University, University of Virginia, Colorado School of Mines, University of Maryland, University of Connecticut, Florida Atlantic University, Lehigh University, and the University of Florida. He is currently the Navy representative to the DOE Deputy Assistant Secretary's advisory and planning committee on methane hydrates, and the Navy representative to the Indo-U.S. Joint Commission on Science and Technology. He previously served as the Navy representative to the panel of The Technical Cooperation Program (TTCP) countries .

Dr. Rath is a member of the National Academy of Engineering. He is a fellow of the Minerals, Metals and Materials Society (TMS), American Society for Materials-International (ASM), Washington Academy of Sciences, Materials Research Society of India, and the Institute of Materials of the United Kingdom. In 2007, Dr. Rath received an honorary doctorate in engineering from the Michigan Technological University and was elected to deliver the commencement address to the 2007 graduating class. In 2008, he received the Illinois Institute of Technology Mechanical Materials & Aerospace Engineering Department 2008 Alumni Recognition Award.

Dr. Rath has received a number of honors and awards, most recently the Padma Bhushan Award of Honors and Excellence bestowed by the President of India. His other awards include the Acta Materialia J. Herbert Hollomon Award, the DOD Distinguished Civilian Service Award which is presented by the Secretary of Defense for distinguished accomplishments and sustained superior service, the 2005 Fred Saalfeld Award for Outstanding Lifetime Achievement in Science, the Presidential Rank Award for Distinguished Executive (2005), the NRL Lifetime Achievement Award (2004), National Materials Advancement Award from the Federation of Materials Societies (2001), the Presidential Rank of Meritorious Executive Award (1999 and 2004), the S. Chandrasekhar Award and Medal, and the Award of Merit for Group Achievement from the Chief of Naval Research. He received the 1991 George Kimball Burgess Memorial Award, the Charles S. Barrett Medal, and the prestigious TMS Leadership Award for his contributions to Materials Research. The American Society for Materials International and The Metals, Minerals, and Materials Society have jointly recognized him with the TMS/ASM Joint Distinguished Lectureship in Materials & Society Award and the 2001 ASM Distinguished Life Membership Award. He has served as the 2004-2005 President of the American Society for Materials. He also has served as a member of the Boards of Directors/Trustees of TMS, ASM-International, and the Federation of Materials Society (FMS), as a member of the editorial boards of three international materials research journals, and as chairman of several committees of TMS, ASM, FMS, and American Association of Engineering Societies.