John Everett Dolbow

Professor in the Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science

Professor John E. Dolbow came to Duke University from Northwestern University, where he received an MS and PhD in Theoretical and Applied Mechanics. During the course of his graduate study, John was a Computational Science Graduate Fellow for the Department of Energy, and he spent a summer working at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Dr. Dolbow's research concerns the development of computational methods for nonlinear problems in solid mechanics. In particular, he is interested in the use of modern computational methods to model quasi-static and dynamic fracture of structural components and the evolution of interfaces. A native of New Hampshire, Dr. Dolbow received his Bachelor's Degree in mechanical engineering from the University of New Hampshire.  In 2020, he became an Assistant Vice President for Research for Duke University.  

Appointments and Affiliations

  • Professor in the Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science
  • Professor of Mathematics
  • Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
  • Bass Fellow

Contact Information

  • Office Location: 319 Gross Hall, Box 90287, Durham, NC 27708
  • Email Address: john.dolbow@duke.edu
  • Websites:

Education

  • B.S.M.E. University of New Hampshire, 1995
  • M.S. Northwestern University, 1998
  • Ph.D. Northwestern University, 1999

Research Interests

Modeling quasi-static and dynamic fracture of structural components, the evolution of interfaces with nonlinear constitutive laws, and developing models for stimulus-responsive hydrogels

Awards, Honors, and Distinctions

  • R. H. Gallagher Young Investigator Award. U.S. Association for Computational Mechanics. 2005
  • Robert J. Melosh Medal, Best Student Paper in Finite Element Analysis. Duke University. 1999
  • Computational Science Graduate Fellow. U.S. Department of Energy. 1997
  • Walter P. Murphy Graduate Fellowship. Northwestern University. 1995
  • Presidential Scholar. University of New Hampshire. 1991

Courses Taught

  • MENG 552: Master of Engineering Supplemental Internship
  • MENG 551: Master of Engineering Internship/Project Assessment
  • MENG 550: Master of Engineering Internship/Project
  • ME 758S: Curricular Practical Training
  • ME 592: Research Independent Study in Mechanical Engineering or Material Science
  • ME 591: Research Independent Study in Mechanical Engineering or Material Science
  • ME 524: Introduction to the Finite Element Method
  • CEE 622: Fracture Mechanics
  • CEE 530: Introduction to the Finite Element Method
  • CEE 520: Continuum Mechanics

In the News

Representative Publications

  • Bonacci, A., J. E. Dolbow, and J. Guilleminot. “Stochastic modeling of anisotropic strength surfaces from atomistic simulations (Accepted).” Theoretical and Applied Fracture Mechanics 145 (July 1, 2026). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tafmec.2026.105594.
  • Kamarei, F., B. Zeng, J. E. Dolbow, and O. Lopez-Pamies. “Nine circles of elastic brittle fracture: A series of challenge problems to assess fracture models.” Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering 448 (January 1, 2026). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cma.2025.118449.
  • Zeng, B., J. Guilleminot, and J. E. Dolbow. “Examining crack nucleation under spatially uniform stress states with a complete phase-field model for fracture.” Theoretical and Applied Fracture Mechanics 140 (December 1, 2025). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tafmec.2025.105170.
  • Nezdyur, M., J. Dolbow, D. O. Frank-Ito, and W. Aquino. “Embedded FEM with strongly-enforced interface conditions for incompressible flow with moving boundaries.” Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering 445 (October 1, 2025). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cma.2025.118197.
  • Dolbow, John, Bo Zeng, and Johann Guilleminot. “Data and scripts from: Examining crack nucleation under spatially uniform stress states with a complete phase-field model for fracture,” August 25, 2025. https://doi.org/10.7924/r4gq75q0s.