Josh Kacher joined Georgia Tech’s Materials Science and Engineering department as an assistant professor in Fall of 2015. Prior to his appointment, he was a postdoctoral scholar at the University of California, Berkeley. There, he worked in collaboration with General Motors to understand the Portevin-le Chatelier effect in Al-Mg and with the navy to develop novel rhenium-replacement alloys. His research approach centered on applying in situ TEM deformation to understand the influence of local chemistry on the behavior of defects such as dislocations and twins. This was coupled with mesoscale characterization of the defect state using EBSD for multiscale characterization of the deformation processes.

His PhD and Master's work similarly focused on applying multiscale electron microscopy techniques to understanding defect behavior in a variety of systems such as ion-irradiated stainless steels, materials at elevated temperatures, and Mg alloys for light-weight alloy development.

Teaching Interests

Professor Kacher’s teaching interests encompass core materials science and engineering concepts, including the mechanical behavior of materials, microstructural characterization, and failure mechanisms. His instructional approach integrates both undergraduate and graduate courses, emphasizing fundamental principles and experimental methods. Professor Kacher engages students in developing a deep understanding of material properties and their relationship to structure and processing. His teaching also supports interdisciplinary learning and prepares students for research and professional practice.