College Administration

Research Areas
Experimental stress analysis with emphasis on strain gage-based transducers, Photoelasticity, Long-term measurement problems associated with strain gages, Inverse problems using statistically based analysis to determine the applied loads to complicated structures

Education

• Iowa State University, Engineering Mechanics, PhD (1976)
• Iowa State University, Engineering Mechanics, MS (1974)
• Iowa State University, Aerospace Engineering, BS (1966)

Academic Positions

• Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Programs, College of Engineering, Iowa State University (1998–present)
• Professor, Department of Aerospace Engineering, Iowa State University (1986–present)
• Interim Director, ISU Center for Teaching Excellence, Iowa State University (1997)
• Associate Professor, Department of Aerospace Engineering, Iowa State University (1980–1986)
• Assistant Professor, Department of Aerospace Engineering, Iowa State University (1976–1980)

Major Honors and Awards

• Outstanding Campus Representative, American Society for Engineering Education (2003–2004)
• M. M. Frocht Award, Educator of the Year Society for Experimental Mechanics (1998)
• Anna Lydia Pate Mentoring Award, Program for Women in Science and Engineering (1995)
• Co-chair and organizer, 24th Midwestern Mechanics Conference (1994)
• Legislative Excellence in Teaching Award, Overall and Consistent Excellence in Teaching (1991)

Selected Publications

• Sharp, J., L. Zachary, and G. Luttenegger. In review. Using engineering to answer mathematics questions: What’s a hyperbola anyhow? Mathematics Teaching in the Middle School.
• Sharp, J., and L. Zachary. In press. The potential for a mathematics learning theory to impact engineering teaching. Journal of Science Engineering Mathematics and Technology Education: Innovations and Research.
• Martin, S., J. Sharp, and L. Zachary. 2004. Thinking engineering. Science and Children 41 (4): 18–23.
• Zachary, L W., and J. M. Sharp. 2003. Interactions: K-12 schools, industry, College of Education, and College of Engineering. In Proc. Deans Summit II, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). January, Miami, Florida.