Crosby Research Group

Crosby Research Group


Professor & Department Head
Phone: 413-577-1313
Email: crosby@mail.pse.umass.edu

Meet the Crosby Group!

Degree Information:

B.S. Civil Engineering, University of Virginia, 1996
Ph.D. Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, 2000

Crosby CV

Mailing Address:

Department of Polymer Science and Engineering
Room: A312, Conte Research Center
University of Massachusetts Amherst
120 Governors Drive
Amherst, MA 01003

Current Research

Guided by fundamental science, my research group takes inspiration from examples in nature, as well as ubiquitous yet complex materials such as fabric, to develop and exploit simple, creative, and novel design paradigms that will change the way scientists, engineers, and the general public use and understand materials. I organize my research along four themes: Bioinspired Adhesion & Friction (Geckskin™), Growth & Assembly, Mechanics of Gels, Tissues and Thin Films and Impulsive Deformations.

Honors and Distinctions:

  • ESPCI ParisTech Visiting Professor 2022
  • Fellow of Royal Society of Chemistry 2021
  • Adhesion Society Excellence in Adhesion Award 2019
  • l'Université Paris Diderot Visiting Professorship 2017
  • Fellow of American Physical Society 2015
  • Samuel F. Conti Faculty Fellowship 2015
  • National Academy of Inventors Fellow 2015
  • Northwestern University Early Career Alumni Achievement in Materials Science 2014
  • College of Natural Sciences Outstanding Research Award 2013
  • CNN Money / Fortune Magazine Science Breakthroughs 2012
  • ACS Rubber Division Sparks-Thomas Award 2011
  • Rohm & Haas New Faculty Award 2008
  • Adhesion Society Outstanding Young Scientist Award 2008
  • National Academy of Engineering Frontiers of Engineering 2007
  • National Science Foundation CAREER Award 2004-2009
  • Army Research Office Young Investigator Award 2005-2008
  • 3M Non-Tenured Faculty Award 2003-2005
  • Adhesion Society Alan Gent Award 1999