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Karla Mossi, Ph.D.

Associate Chair, Professor, Graduate Program Director, Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering

  • Engineering East Hall, Richmond VA UNITED STATES
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Biography

Dr. Karla Mossi is an Associate Department Chair and Graduate Program Director at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), where she has transformed graduate education since 2001. A visionary leader in workforce development, Dr. Mossi spearheaded VCU’s unique Ph.D. program in Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering and launched a top-10 nationally ranked online Master’s program for working professionals.

With expertise in smart materials, energy harvesting, and applied sensing, Dr. Mossi holds a licensed medical sensor patent and has secured significant funding and fellowships from agencies like NASA and the NRC. A dedicated advocate for diversity and women in STEM, she has mentored over 120 graduate students, and her global impact earned her recognition on Forbes Central America’s "100 Powerful Women" list.

Accomplishments

Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant Award for Laboratory Instruction

Awarded by Old Dominion University.

Parents’ Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching

Awarded by VCU School of Engineering.

Student Section Advisor Award for District F

Awarded by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

Education

Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Honduras

B.S.

Mechanical Engineering

1988

Old Dominion University

M.S.

Mechanical Engineering

1992

Old Dominion University

Ph.D.

Mechanical Engineering

1998

Selected Articles

Thermoelectric devices with rotated and coaxial leg configurations: Numerical analysis of performance

Applied Thermal Engineering

Erturun, U., & Mossi, K. (2015). Thermoelectric devices with rotated and coaxial leg configurations: Numerical analysis of performance. Applied Thermal Engineering, 85, 304-312.

Influence of leg sizing and spacing on power generation and thermal stresses of thermoelectric devices

Applied Energy

Erturun, U., Erermis, K., & Mossi, K. (2015). Influence of leg sizing and spacing on power generation and thermal stresses of thermoelectric devices. Applied Energy, 159, 19-27.

A simple method to characterize the impedance of pyroelectric materials at ultra-low frequencies.

Journal of Intelligent Material Systems and Structures,

Shaheen, M. A., Erturun, U., Campbell, B., & Mossi, K. (2016). A simple method to characterize the impedance of pyroelectric materials at ultra-low frequencies. Journal of Intelligent Material Systems and Structures, 1045389X16645865.