Wadley is known for both broad and deep scientific contributions and scholarship that span fundamental materials research and materials design, and materials synthesis and processing. He has published more than 400 technical papers, which have been cited nearly 4,300 times in the archival literature.
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| Hadyn Wadley (Photo: Dan Addison) |
His work merges science and engineering, using fundamental physics principles to guide the design and development of sophisticated processing and fabrication of materials for use in engineering, such as blast- and impact-resistant materials for defense against improvised explosive devices.
Wadley has served as president of the former U.Va. Patent Foundation, now UVa Innovation, and is a 15-year member of the Defense Sciences Research Council of the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, for which he has served as both associate chair and chair. The council, made up of 16 eminent scientists, engineers and physicians, identifies major areas for new scientific inquiry for transformational advances to national security, such as exploitation of space, new approaches to highly functional prostheses for injured service members and mitigation of blast injuries, among others.
"Professor Wadley's scientific contributions, scholarship and service to his profession, the University and the nation are extraordinary," said James H. Aylor, dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Science. "Since he arrived at U.Va. 16 years ago as professor and senior associate dean for research, he has been a model for productivity, leading research that spans fundamental materials research and materials design and materials synthesis and processing."
Wadley's research and innovation have resulted in 18 patents, which have led to the creation of two Charlottesville companies, Directed Vapor Technologies Inc. and Cellular Materials International Inc., and to intellectual property licensing by U.Va. to the commercial sector.
Three of the University of Virginia's most prominent faculty researchers – infectious diseases physician Dr. Michael M. Scheld, materials science engineer Haydn Wadley and cell biologist Judith White – have been selected as its 2012 Distinguished Scientists.
The U.Va. Distinguished Scientist Awards, created in 2006 by the Office of the Vice President for Research, annually honor faculty members who have made extensive and influential contributions in the sciences, medicine or engineering during their careers at U.Va.
Scheld, Wadley and White were honored in July during a reception and dinner at the Colonnade Club.
"These scientists have created new paths in their respective fields, with impact on the world," Thomas C. Skalak, vice president for research, said. "From the mysteries of the living cell to sophisticated design of engineered materials to treating infectious diseases, they have moved into territories that had never been explored before. In doing so, they've provided a role model for the next generation of scientists."
Nominations for the Distinguished Scientist Award are accepted each year from U.Va. department chairs and faculty. A panel of faculty peers judges the nominees based on their publications, awards and comments from peers outside the University regarding quality and societal impact of their research. They are chosen for distinguishing U.Va. through a significant body of nationally and internationally recognized research conducted at the University over a lengthy period of time. The winners each receive a $10,000 grant to enhance their research activities.