Colloquium Series: Dr. Mark A Tschopp, US Army Research Laboratory

Join us for our Colloquium Series. Dr. Mark A Tschopp, a Materials Engineer at US Army Research Laboratory will be joining us to present his research on “The Science of Science: How to Stand on the Shoulders of Giants (Without Falling Off)” Tuesday, April 4th.

Research Synopsis

Isaac Newton famously said of science, “If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants.” This quote embodies the very nature of science. The scientific discoveries that we make today are because we are “standing” on the vast array of scientific knowledge passed down to us by these “giants” of the past. As scientists, we acknowledge the contributions of those who came before us through citing their work in our papers, which detail and disseminate our scientific contributions. The authors, papers, and citations form an expansive network of science that propagates through time, and the field of “Science of Science” aims to understand what that network tells us about science. In this talk, we will explore the science of science and what it reveals about famous scientists, as well as those scientists that are lesser known.
The first part of this talk will focus on how to quantify impact of a scientist’s career. What factors contribute to productivity and success in scientific fields, and how do scientific metrics such as papers and citations influence career outcomes? We will examine different models and their assumptions to understand the role of randomness and innate ability within scientific careers.
The second part of this talk will explore collaboration and teaming in science. How do scientists work together to achieve breakthroughs, and what are the most effective ways to build successful research teams? We will examine the benefits and challenges of interdisciplinary collaboration, as well as the role of networks and social capital in scientific discovery.
Finally, we will consider the broader impact of scientific research. What factors contribute to the ultimate impact of scientific discoveries? We will examine the role of “big science” – the increasing number of papers, authors, and citations in scientific research – and what it means for high-impact papers, scientific impact and novelty, and the time dimension of science. Join us for an illuminating exploration into the field of Science of Science research and discover what it tells us about how to build successful scientific careers, how to collaborate effectively with others, and how to make a lasting impact on the world through your scientific research.

Biography

I am an ARL research scientist on sabbatical in 2023, currently working with multiple institutions in the Chicago area. With a PhD in Materials Science and Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology and a background in metallurgical engineering, I have spent over a decade in R&D roles with GM Powertrain, the Air Force Research Laboratory, and the Army Research Laboratory (ARL). I am known for my research focus on accelerated materials design using modeling and simulation, data science, machine learning, and design optimization, which has resulted in numerous publications in top journals, including over 100 peer-reviewed papers with over 6,000 citations. I have been honored as a Fellow of ASME (mechanical engineering) in 2017, a Fellow of ASM International (materials science) in 2018, and elected an ARL Fellow in 2021, placing me among the top 1.5% of ARL scientists. I’m also passionate about sharing my knowledge and have recently taught a popular short course titled “Machine Learning for Everyone: May the Course Be with You” that had over 2000 participants, receiving the 2022 ARL Honorary Award for Impactful Communication. I am driven by my passion for learning, science, mentorship, and making an impact for the Army.