Alec Gallimore

Alec D. Gallimore is the Provost and Chief Academic Officer of Duke University and the Alfred J. Hooks E '68 Distinguished Professor in the Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science of the Pratt School of Engineering. Prior to joining Duke in 2023, Dr. Gallimore held multiple leadership roles at the University of Michigan, including the Robert J. Vlasic Dean of Engineering. His research focuses on advanced spacecraft propulsion, and he founded a laboratory at the University of Michigan that developed a plasma drive system for potential Mars missions. Dr. Gallimore has been recognized with awards such as the Wyld Propulsion Award and the Ernst Stuhlinger Medal. He is the author of over 360 publications and has advised 44 Ph.D. students and 14 master’s students. His academic career began with a B.S. in aeronautical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and continued with M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in aerospace engineering from Princeton University.

Alec D. Gallimore is the Provost and Alfred J. Hooks E '68 Distinguished Professor at Duke University, specializing in Advanced Spacecraft Propulsion. His research focuses on improving the efficiency and performance of electric propulsion systems, particularly Hall thrusters, through detailed analysis of plasma dynamics, discharge mechanisms, and ionization oscillations. Gallimore's work explores the impact of magnetic field configurations, current density, and operating conditions on thruster efficiency. His studies also address challenges such as mode transitions, backpressure effects, and plasma potential profiles in laboratory-scale thrusters. His research contributes to the development of high-specific impulse propulsion systems for space exploration.