Meet Dr. Raymond Thompson, PhD, PE

Dr. Raymond Thompson has spent more than six decades at the intersection of metallurgy, education, and community in Birmingham, Alabama. Symphony of Elements is the culmination of that lifetime of work.

Educator

As an Engineering Professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Dr. Thompson shaped generations of engineers through his courses in metallurgy, ceramics, and materials science. After retiring from teaching, he continued to serve UAB on the Long-Term Planning Committee, the School of Engineering Advisory Council, and as President of the UAB National Alumni Society — earning the UAB Volunteer of the Year Award for his dedication.

Leader in his field

Dr. Thompson is a Fellow of the American Welding Society, the American Society for Materials, and the National Academy of Forensic Engineers. He has been recognized as Engineer of the Year by the Engineering Council of Birmingham, and his contributions to materials science span numerous publications and patents.

Entrepreneur

He founded Vista Engineering, a consulting and design firm that has completed over 500 projects across 14 states and three continents — with research partners including the Department of Defense, NASA, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Visionary

Symphony of Elements is Dr. Thompson's gift to the city that shaped him — a celebration of the metals industry, the power of science education, and the hidden beauty in the world around us.