Crone earned her BS in engineering mechanics from Illinois in 1990 then earned her master’s degree in from Brown University and a PhD from the University of Minnesota. She is currently the Karen Thompson Medhi Professor in the Department of Engineering Physics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison with affiliate appointments in biomedical engineering and materials science and engineering.
A society for professionals in or affiliated with the field of experimental mechanics, SEM provides professional connections and guidance to its members, acting as an international network of engineers and scientists. The society promotes collaboration, early career development, and the high standards of advancing the study of mechanics with a central motivation being the furthering of experimental mechanics research and application.
Crone has been a part of SEM since her undergraduate career when her advisor, Professor Jim Phillips, recommended it to her. She has been heavily involved ever since, with her membership spanning three decades. Her career accomplishments exude characteristics that SEM highly values: she has written a book to help mentor junior faculty members titled, “Survive and Thrive: A Guide for Untenured Faculty,” and she has developed multiple projects to help promote women in engineering.
A talented practitioner of experimental mechanics, Crone has a variety of experience within her field. She has been funded by National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Science Foundation (NSF), Department of Energy, Air Force Office of Scientific Research, and the Whitaker Foundation, with an NSF CAREER Award and an NIH K18 Career Enhancement Award. Crone specializes in medical applications, but the breadth of her work extends far past that.
“She has shown and developed experience in many areas of engineering,” Phillips said. “And not just bioengineering or crystal plasticity, but in some of the areas that are not her expertise.”
Her character and her career accomplishments make Crone a perfect fit for SEM presidency. Her experience with the field and with the society demonstrates her shared commitment to experimental mechanics and its professionals. The position acknowledges her vast contributions to the society, to its members, and to the field.
“When I was asked to consider becoming president of SEM I could not say no,” Wendy said. “The organization has given me so much over the course of my career, so I am more than happy to give back to it and its members.”