Professor Nix is a member of the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) and of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), professor emeritus of materials science, and one of the founders of our department in its current form. 

The goal of the William D. Nix Lecture Series, an annual department event, is to bring together our community of students, faculty, alumni, and other professionals passionate about the positive impact our discipline can have in addressing humanity’s most pressing challenges, such as the need for safe energy, a clean environment, and healthy life.