Dr. Matthew Kramer is a Distinguished Scientist at Ames National laboratory and until recently has been the director of the Materials Sciences and Engineering Division at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Ames Lab since 2013. He is also an Adjunct Associate Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at Iowa State University. His career at Ames Lab spans more than three decades, starting as a Post-Doctoral Fellow from 1988-1989 then transitioning to a staff scientist in 1989 initially working primarily on high temperature superconductors and permanent magnets. Major research focus is on understanding and controlling phase and morphological selection using advanced in-situ characterization methods (electron microscopy and high energy synchrotron X-rays) and computer modeling. Major research areas include rapid solidification and structure of deeply undercooled metallic liquids in metallic and intermetallic alloys and compounds with applications to permanent magnets and other functional materials. Recent focus has been on critical materials and their substitutions. Dr. Kramer has published more than 480 peer reviewed articles with more than 18,000 citations and has an h-index of 68. He has supervised 15 graduate students and 10 post-docs. He has a long-standing expertise in the design, processing, and production of advanced magnetic materials useful for energy efficiency and improved power conversion.