John Pearson received his Masters of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, 1987.  Graduate studies at Argonne National Laboratory facilities included elastic softening and structural changes in silicon and ordered alloys due to ion irradiation.  After graduation, Pearson joined the Magnetic Films group of the Materials Science Division as a Scientific Assistant, developing tools for PI’s exploration of surface magnetism.   Currently, as Principal Materials Engineer in MSD at Argonne National Laboratory, he develops deposition and characterization tools for research in complex oxides, patterned spin structures, nano-particle catalysts, and superconducting transition edge sensors.

Education: 

B.S., Engineering Mechanics of Materials, Southern Illinois School of Engineering at Carbondale, 1985

M.S., Mechanical Engineering, Southern Illinois School of Engineering at Carbondale, 1987

Research Interests:

Condensed Matter Physics of superconducting and magnetic materials, particularly their applications to media storage, devices exploiting spin control, and detectors.

Professional Experience:

• 2009- present:  Principal Materials Engineer in the Materials Science Division at Argonne National Laboratory
• 2005- 2009:  Engineer in the Magnetic Films Group of MSD
• 2000- 2005:  Senior Scientific Associate in the Magnetic Films Group of MSD
• 1994-2000:  Scientific Associate in the Magnetic Films Group of MSD
• 1987-1994:  Scientific Assistant in the Magnetic Films Group of MSD

Selected Awards:

• DOE Outstanding Scientific Accomplishment in Solid State Physics, Materials Sciences Research Competition 1992.
• UChicago Argonne, LLC Board of Governors, Outstanding Service Award 2008.