Materials Science and Engineering

The John Morral Distinguished Lecture Series in Materials Science and Engineering that brings leading researchers and innovators in materials science and engineering to the University of Connecticut to share their work, ideas, and perspectives with the UConn community. 

Established in honor of John Eric Morral, emeritus professor and former head of UConn’s Department of Materials Science and Engineering, the series celebrates his lasting contributions to materials science, his commitment to mentorship and education, and his curiosity about the world around him. 

Through lectures from distinguished scholars and leaders in the field, the series aims to foster intellectual exchange, inspire students and researchers, and continue Morral’s legacy of advancing materials science through scholarship, collaboration, and mentorship. 

Presenter: Dr. Tresa Pollock 

Lecture Title: Challenges and Opportunities for New High Temperature Refractory Alloys

Date: Tuesday, September 15, 2026 

Time: 5:00pm to 7:00pm

Location: Science 1, Room SC1

Campus: University of Connecticut, Storrs 

The inaugural John Morral Distinguished Lecture will feature Tresa Pollock, Distinguished Professor of Materials at the University of California, Santa Barbara. 

Pollock’s research spans the mechanical and environmental performance of materials in extreme environments, high-temperature materials processing, alloy design, ultrafast laser-material interactions, and three-dimensional materials characterization. Her work has contributed to advances in materials for demanding applications, including aerospace and other extreme environments. 

More Information About This Event

Remembering John Eric Morral 

John Eric Morral was a professor, researcher, mentor, and leader whose influence helped shape the modern UConn Department of Materials Science and Engineering. 

Morral served as department head during an important period of growth and transition, including the department’s move from its traditional focus in metallurgy to the broader field of materials science and engineering. Under this expanded vision, UConn MSE grew to encompass areas including functional materials, energy materials, biomaterials, and other emerging fields.  

A renowned expert in metallurgical thermodynamics, Morral made contributions to the understanding of complex diffusion problems and phase diagrams. His research earned international recognition, and he was elected a Fellow of ASM International in 1995. In 2017, he received the Gibbs Phase Equilibria Award, one of the field’s most distinguished honors. He also served for many years as editor of the Journal of Phase Diagrams and Diffusion. 

Yet Morral’s influence extended well beyond his research accomplishments. Colleagues and former students remembered him as an exceptional mentor, a thoughtful teacher, and a person who approached both science and life with curiosity and humility. 

A Legacy at UConn 

Morral’s connection to UConn MSE continues to be visible on campus. A conference room in the Science 1 facility is named in his honor through a generous gift from his wife, Dot Morral. The gift also supports MSE students through funding for summer research, conference travel, and industry tours.  

The John Morral Distinguished Lecture Series builds on that legacy by creating another lasting connection between Morral’s values and the department’s future. Each lecture will bring members of the UConn community together with leading voices in materials science and engineering, creating opportunities to learn, exchange ideas, and imagine what comes next.