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Alec Gallimore

Provost of Duke University
Duke University
220A Allen Building, Durham, NC 27708

Overview


Alec D. Gallimore is the Provost and Chief Academic Officer of Duke University and Alfred J. Hooks E ’68 Distinguished Professor in the Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science of the Pratt School of Engineering. Prior to his appointment at Duke in 2023, Dr. Gallimore held multiple leadership roles over his 30+ year career at the University of Michigan, including the Robert J. Vlasic Dean of Engineering, associate dean for academic affairs, associate dean for research and graduate education, and associate dean at the Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies.

Dr. Gallimore is a leader in the field of advanced spacecraft propulsion and founded a laboratory at the University of Michigan that is developing the plasma drive system that may ultimately propel humans to Mars. In 2024, he was elected an Honorary Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), the world’s largest aerospace technical society. His work has been recognized by lifetime achievement awards such as the Wyld Propulsion Award from the AIAA, the Ernst Stuhlinger Medal from the Electric Rocket Society, and induction into the National Academy of Engineering.

Before the start of his career in academia, he solidified his credentials as a rocket scientist first at Rensselaer (RPI), where he received his BS degree in aeronautical engineering, and then at Princeton, where he received his MA and Ph.D. degrees in aerospace engineering with a focus on plasma physics and advanced spacecraft propulsion. He is the author of over 360 publications, has worked at NASA (JPL and GRC), and has been the advisor to 44 Ph.D. students and 14 master’s students.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Provost of Duke University · 2023 - Present Duke University
Professor in the Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science · 2023 - Present Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Pratt School of Engineering
Alfred J. Hooks E '68 Distinguished Professor · 2023 - Present Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Pratt School of Engineering

In the News


Published May 6, 2025
Space Symposium Explores the Future of Space Settlements
Published May 2, 2025
When I Was Wrong: Faculty Lessons From Their Mistakes
Published February 19, 2025
The Duke Endowment Gift Will Launch Initiative on Pluralism, Free Inquiry and Belonging

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Recent Publications


Plasma Plume Characterization of a 100 kW Nested Hall Thruster

Journal Article Journal of Propulsion and Power · January 1, 2022 The plasma plume properties of a three-channel 100-kW-class nested Hall thruster were measured on xenon propellant for total powers up to 80 kW. The thruster was throttled through all seven available channel combinations for conditions spanning 300 to 500 ... Full text Cite

Performance and High-Speed Characterization of a 100-kW Nested Hall Thruster

Journal Article Journal of Propulsion and Power · January 1, 2022 The performance of a three-channel, 100-kW nested Hall thruster was evaluated on xenon propellant for total powers up to 102 kW. The thruster demonstrated stable operation in all seven available channel combinations at discharge voltages from 300 to 500 V ... Full text Cite

Transient non-classical transport in the hollow cathode plume I: Measurements of time-varying electron collision frequency

Journal Article Plasma Sources Science and Technology · October 1, 2020 Electrostatic probes are employed to measure the time-variations in electron collision frequency due to a large-scale, low-frequency, plasma instability in a high-current hollow cathode plasma discharge (plume mode oscillation). Time-resolved measurements ... Full text Cite
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Recent Grants


Green Data Center

Construction/RenovationPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Duke Endowment · 2025 - 2032

Science Faculty Initiative

Institutional SupportPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Duke Endowment · 2018 - 2032

Elevating Duke Computing Initiative

Institutional SupportPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Duke Endowment · 2024 - 2030

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Education, Training & Certifications


Princeton University · 1992 Ph.D.
Princeton University · 1988 M.A.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute · 1986 B.S.