Kathy Lu is a Professor at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia, USA. She received her Ph.D. from Materials Science and Engineering of Ohio State University, her M.S. from Materials Science and Engineering of Ohio State University, and her B.S. in Ceramics of Tianjin University, Tianjin, China.

From August 2004 to 2023, Kathy Lu has been a Professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering of Virginia Tech. During 2001-2004, she was a Materials Development and Processing Scientist at Energizer Battery Company. During 2000-2001, she was the Director of Materials Processing at the Center for Innovative Sintered Products of Pennsylvania State University.

Kathy Lu’s research group has published >200 peer-reviewed journal papers, >20 peer-reviewed proceeding papers, and 4 book chapters. In addition, she has edited 6 books, single-authored 2 textbooks, and given >200 presentations/posters. Her research interest is in polymer derived ceramics and composites; materials degradation in harsh environments; materials synthesis, processing, characterization, and fundamental studies; and coatings for harsh environments and long-term uses.

Kathy Lu is the President-Elect of Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society (2023-2024), an Editor of Materials Letters, Editorial Review Board Member of International Materials Reviews (2022-2025), 2022 Minerals, Metals & Materials Society (TMS) Fellow, 2020 Fulbright Distinguished Chair Award, 2016 Virginia Tech Alumni Award for Research Excellence, 2012 Virginia Tech College of Engineering Faculty Fellow Award, 2011 Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel Research Award of Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, and 2005 Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award.

Kathy is a member of the Engineering Ceramics Division of ACerS. She was the recipient of 2017 Fellow Award of the American Ceramic Society and the 2008 Karl Schwartzwalder-Professional Achievement in Ceramic Engineering Award. She is an Associate Editor of The Journal of the American Ceramic Society. Kathy served as the Secretary, Vice President, President-Elect, and President of National Institute of Ceramic Engineers from 2011-2015 and has organized ~35 ACerS-sponsored symposia for different conferences.

Kathy is keenly interested in promoting STEM education and inclusion in engineering. She also enjoys the outdoors and nature.