Tag: Materials Science and Engineering

I have been a student at Michigan Tech since 2018, when I started my undergraduate degree. I quickly became involved with research at MTU, joining the Advanced Metal Works Enterprise (AME), where we worked on different materials engineering projects. Some of my favorite research projects include alloy development work for metal 3D printing and materials modeling work for FEA simulations.

Given my interest in materials research, I contacted my now advisor, Dr.Paul Sanders, about doing a master’s project. He found me a project with Relativity Space focused on developing aluminum alloy wire for metal 3d printing applications. After my master’s, I wanted to continue on to a PhD. Given my experience with materials modeling and aluminum alloy design, I began work on developing new aluminum alloys for the extrusion industry. The goals of our current research is to develop a high-strength, highly formable alloy that can be used for automotive applications. What I enjoy most about my research is the physical experiments and connecting physical testing with simulation work. I included an image of me performing one of our billet castings in the foundry. This billet is formed into sheets to perform various experiments.

Besides my research, I continue to be involved with the AME enterprise and aid the materials science and engineering senior design teams. My involvement is generally as a subject matter expert who assists with advanced materials characterization techniques. I enjoy being involved with the students’ projects and helping them complete their research.

I would like to thank all the staff and faculty of the materials science and engineering department. Their involvement with research and knowledge makes completing our research projects an enjoyable learning experience. Finally, I would like to thank the graduate school and the graduate dean’s awards advisory panel for considering me for the finishing fellowship.

“I am truly honored to receive the Finishing Fellowship. I would like to sincerely thank the Graduate School and the Graduate Dean Awards Advisory Panel for this recognition and support as I complete my Ph.D. studies.

I am a fourth-year Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Materials Science. My research focuses on advancing environmental chemistry through innovative approaches to greenhouse gas utilization, plastics recycling, photocatalysis, supercapacitors, and carbon materials. I am passionate about developing solutions to some of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time.

During my doctoral studies, I have published ten peer-reviewed papers, nine of which I authored as first author. These publications reflect my commitment to conducting independent, high-quality research and contributing valuable insights to the scientific community. My work is characterized by creativity, technical rigor, and a strong emphasis on sustainability.

Beyond research, I take pride in fostering collaboration and mentorship within my lab. I have enjoyed working closely with interdisciplinary teams and guiding younger students as they begin their own research journeys. Balancing mentorship with my own projects has been a rewarding part of my graduate experience.

Looking ahead, I am committed to pursuing a career in academia. My goal is to become a professor at a leading university, where I can continue my research in environmental chemistry and help train the next generation of scientists. With a solid research foundation and a vision for addressing critical environmental issues, I am excited to contribute to the field as both a researcher and an educator.”