As the Cryogenic Society of America moves into an exciting era of innovation and exploration, we’re thrilled to introduce the talented professionals who will help guide our organization forward. This year’s new board members bring a wealth of expertise from diverse sectors within the field, as well as a shared passion for advancing cryogenic science and technology. Join us as we highlight their unique journeys, perspectives, and vision for the future of cryogenics—a future they’re already shaping through their leadership and commitment.
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President-Elect
Franklin Miller, Ph.D., Associate Professor, University of Wisconsin - Madison
Franklin Miller is Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Before joining the faculty at the University, Professor Miller worked in the Cryogenics Branch at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. While at NASA he worked on developing cooling systems for space flight missions, including systems in operation on the James Webb Space Telescope. Professor Miller has a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His Ph.D. work included modeling the thermodynamic behavior of superfluid 3He-4He mixtures and the development of a novel superfluid Joule-Thomson refrigeration cycle for sub-1 Kelvin cooling. Professor Miller has supervised 23 MS students and 14 Ph.D. students. He has also served on the Board of Directors for the Cryogenic Engineering Conference since 2009, as program chair of the 2013 Cryogenic Engineering Conference, as co-Chair of the 27th Space Cryogenics Workshop and as the Chair of the 23rd International Cryocooler Conference.
Directors
Kathleen Amm, Ph.D., Director, NHMFL FSU
Kathleen Amm received her B.Sc. in Mathematics and Physics from the University of Toronto and Ph.D. in Condensed Matter Physics from Florida State University. She spent nearly 20 years at GE Global Research, starting as a physicist, climbing through several leadership positions to eventually direct the entire research portfolio for the GE MRI business at the GE Global Research Center. She then served as director of the Magnet Division at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) leading a team of scientists, engineers and technicians developing the future of superconducting magnet technology. In May 2024, she joined the MagLab as director, bringing her more than 25 years of experience in superconductivity and magnet design to the world’s largest and highest-powered magnet laboratory. In this role, she oversees the National MagLab’s headquarters location at Florida State University, as well as the MagLab facilities at Los Alamos National Laboratory and the University of Florida.
Charlie Danaher, President, Danaher Cryogenics LTD
Beginning a career in cryogenics in 1998 under Glen McIntosh at Cryogenic Technical Services, Charlie Danaher went on to work at HPD in Boulder, Colorado, from 2002 to 2020. There, they collaborated closely with NIST scientists to design, build, test, and install a range of cryostats, including wet and dry dilution refrigerators (DRs) and a line of Adiabatic Demagnetization Refrigerator (ADR) cryostats. After years of designing cryostats, their career evolved to include work with scientists around the world, assisting in the planning, specification, and procurement of specialized cryogenic tools. They’ve had the unique opportunity to develop lasting professional friendships within the field and have contributed articles to Cold Facts Magazine. With gratitude for the support and opportunities offered by the cryogenic community, they are now eager to help guide its future as a board member for the Cryogenic Society of America.
Wei Guo, Ph.D., Professor, Florida State University
Dr. Wei Guo is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at FAMU-FSU College of Engineering and holds an associate position at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory. His research centers on cryogenics, with applications in quantum fluid dynamics, liquid-helium-based dark matter detection, cryogenic accelerator physics, quantum-fluid-based qubits R&D and liquid hydrogen aviation. After earning his Ph.D. in Physics from Brown University in 2008, he conducted postdoctoral research at Yale University until 2012, then joined Florida State University. Supported by agencies including NSF, DOE, NASA, the Army Research Office, and the Betty Gordon Moore Foundation, Dr. Guo has received many accolades, including the JSPS Invitation Fellowship, the Moore Foundation EPI Award, and the Outstanding Research Accomplishment Award from the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering. In 2023, he was elected an American Physical Society Fellow.
Sarah Mitchell, Marketing Communications Manager, Sumitomo (SHI) Cryogenics of America
Sarah Mitchell has been the Marketing Communications Manager at Sumitomo (SHI) Cryogenics of America, Inc. (SCAI) since 2008, where she plays a pivotal role in driving the company's marketing initiatives supporting their range of cryocoolers, cryopumps and compressors. She joined SCAI, a longtime CSA corporate sustaining member, in 2006 and holds a bachelor’s degree in International Area Studies from Drexel University. With 20 years of progressive marketing experience, Mitchell combines creative and technical expertise to oversee SCAI’s marketing operations and provide support and guidance to the SHI Cryogenics Group’s global network. In addition to developing marketing collateral, including occasional content for Cold Facts magazine, she executes several events on behalf of the SHI Cryogenics Group each year. Mitchell is a member of the International Cryocooler Conference (ICC) Board, having served as president from 2020-2022 and chaired ICC22 in June 2022, including coordination of the CSA’s Foundations of Cryocoolers course.
