Graham Delivers IEEE’s Morton Antler Lecture

Dean Samuel Graham, Clark School of Engineering

Samuel Graham, Nariman Farvardin professor and dean of the University of Maryland’s (UMD) A. James Clark School of Engineering, delivered the Morton Antler Lecture at the Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers’ (IEEE) Holm Conference on Electrical Contacts, held Oct. 4-7 in Kansas City.

Named for the distinguished scientist Morton Antler, whose research centered on electrical contacts, tribology, corrosion, and electrodeposition, the lecture series promotes new research and cutting-edge developments in electrical contact phenomena, connectors, and related fields. The annual Morton Antler Lecturer is chosen for their technical knowledge and distinguished leadership in an area of contemporary technical advancement and need.

“Dr. Samuel Graham is a renowned engineer whose research has focused on engineering the thermal response of wide-bandgap semiconductor devices to enhance heat dissipation, enable higher power densities, and improve long-term device reliability,” said Professor George Flowers, chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Auburn University and a member of the Holm Conference awards committee.

“He was selected as the 2026 Morton Antler Lecturer for his work in the development of practical thermal management strategies for next-generation high-performance electronics, which is a critical need in high density computing applications, such as modern hyperscale and AI/HPC data centers,” Flowers said.

Graham expressed his deep appreciation at being selected, noting the significance of the Holm Conference and Antler Lecture to the electrical contacts community. “I’m honored to have had this opportunity to present our research that has helped to address critical thermal needs in the development of advanced WBG semiconductors over the past 20 years, including the integration of diamond in the devices to advance their power handling capability,” he said.

His selection is the latest in a succession of recent honors for the Clark School dean.