Janelle Wharry is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering at the University of Illinois, with a courtesy appointment in the Materials Research Laboratory since 2024. She previously held roles at Purdue University, including Associate Professor and Assistant Professor positions in Materials and Nuclear Engineering. Her research focuses on advanced materials for nuclear energy systems, corrosion mechanisms, and irradiation effects in structural materials. Education: Ph.D., M.S., and B.S. in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Michigan (2004–2012). Professional roles include editorial positions for Materials Today Communications and Materials Science & Engineering: A . Research interests span materials manufacturing, nuclear fuels, mechanical behavior under irradiation, and corrosion. Notable contributions include studies on FeCrAl alloys, stress corrosion cracking in austenitic steels, and pseudoelasticity in stainless steels. Awards include the NSF CAREER Award (2018), DOE Early Career Award (2019), and the TMS Brimacombe Medal (2025). Her Wharry Research Group emphasizes problem-solving and leadership development, with a focus on inclusivity and collaboration. Current projects address materials for decarbonization, nuclear fuel/clad interactions, and radiation-resistant alloys. She contributes to DOE initiatives through roles in the Nuclear Science User Facilities (NSUF) and roundtable panels.
Dr. Gareth Stephens is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Bangor University's Nuclear Futures Institute, supported by Amentum. He earned a Master's in Materials Physics from Aberystwyth University (2019) and completed his PhD (2024) through the Nuclear Energy Futures Centre for Doctoral Training (EPSRC-funded), with industry collaboration from Jacobs/Amentum. His research focuses on zirconium alloy cladding corrosion in nuclear reactor environments, particularly under lithiated water conditions, investigating oxidation mechanics and material degradation to improve reactor fuel performance and safety. This work combines computational simulations with experimental validation . Gareth is affiliated with the Nuclear Futures Institute at Bangor University Nuclear Energy Futures Centre for Doctoral Training and was supervised by Prof. Simon Middleburgh during his PhD.
Samantha Li is a Professor at Boise State University's Micron School of Materials Science and Engineering, where she leads cutting-edge research in computational materials science and nanotechnology. She holds a doctorate in Nanomaterials from the University of Cambridge and has established herself as a leading researcher in DNA-templated molecular systems for quantum computing applications and sustainable materials development. Education Background: Ph.D. in Nanomaterials, University of Cambridge, UK Postdoctoral Research Associate, Department of Physics, University of Florida (theoretical and computational studies of metal-fullerene nano-systems, hydrogen-storage materials, and metal oxide thin films) Research Scientist, Center for Materials Informatics, Kent State University (development of computational materials research code projects) Professor Li's research spans multiple interdisciplinary domains with particular focus on computational materials design, quantum information science, and sustainable energy solutions. Her work integrates advanced computational modeling with experimental validation to develop novel materials for next-generation technologies. Key research thrusts include DNA-templated molecular systems for quantum computing, computational materials informatics for carbon capture, and sustainable energy materials. Her fingerprint analysis reveals significant contributions to density functional theory, DNA-based nanomaterials, transition metal dichalcogenides, and carbon dioxide capture materials. Her publication record demonstrates a clear trajectory toward increasingly complex and impactful research, with a growing emphasis on quantum information systems and climate change mitigation technologies. Recent publications show a strategic shift toward integrating computational and crystallographic approaches for materials discovery, with particular emphasis on DNA-templated molecular design for quantum computing applications and computational approaches to carbon-capture materials. Scientific Awards and Recognition: Boise State University's Top Ten Scholar Honored Faculty TMS (The Mineral, Metals and Materials Society) Young Leader Professional Development Award (2014) NIST's American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Program Fellowship Award in Materials Education, MRS (2024) Professor Li currently serves as TMS Integrated Computational Materials Engineering Committee Programming Chair and leads two major research projects: 'Collaborative Research: Elements: Autonomous Molecular Design Cyberinfrastructure Development for Quantum Computation' funded by the National Science Foundation (2024-2027) and 'Design of DNA-Templated Molecular Dye Aggregates for Excitonic-Based Nanoscale Quantum Gates' funded by the U.S. Navy. Her research has been supported by multiple federal agencies including NIST and has resulted in over 100 research outputs with significant citation impact. Her work contributes directly to UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in climate action and sustainable energy, through her research on carbon-capture materials and energy sustainability. She collaborates extensively with national laboratories and universities across the United States, building a robust research ecosystem focused on materials innovation for societal challenges.
Nilesh Kumar is an Assistant Professor and Undergraduate Program Coordinator in the Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering at The University of Alabama, College of Engineering. His research focuses on the interplay between processing, microstructure, and mechanical properties of metallic materials used across industrial and nuclear applications. His educational background includes a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from Missouri University of Science and Technology (2011), an M.E. from Indian Institute of Science (2006), and a B.E. from National Institute of Technology Karnataka (2004). Dr. Kumar's research interests span Additive Manufacturing , Advanced Manufacturing , Advanced Materials , Fatigue and Durability , Corrosion , Materials Characterization , and Mechanical Testing . He investigates structure-property relationships in metallic systems, particularly stainless steels and nuclear materials, under extreme environments. The recent publications highlight a strong focus on high-temperature deformation , creep behavior , dynamic strain aging , and microstructural evolution in austenitic stainless steels and zirconium alloys. His work also extends to advanced joining techniques like friction stir welding in high-strength aluminum alloys. His scientific honors include: NSF CAREER Award (2024) Kent D. Peaslee Junior Faculty Award, AIST Foundation (2019–2020) AIST Foundation Steel Professor (2022) Dr. Kumar has published 46 peer-reviewed journal articles, co-authored 4 books, and contributed to 4 book chapters. He is an active reviewer for over two dozen scientific journals and a member of several professional organizations. His current research is supported by prestigious grants, including the NSF CAREER award, indicating strong external funding and recognition in the early stages of his academic career. He is affiliated with multiple research centers at The University of Alabama, including the Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Materials Design Integration, contributing to interdisciplinary efforts in materials innovation and engineering design.
Laurent Karim Béland is an Associate Professor in Mechanical and Materials Engineering at Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario. His research employs computational methods including atom-scale simulations, machine learning, and physical chemistry to study materials for nuclear applications, bone fracture, and clay/cement systems. Education: PhD in Physics, Université de Montréal (2014) BSc in Physics, Université de Montréal (2008) Dr. Béland's expertise spans computational materials science with focus on machine learning for materials, atom-scale simulations, and physical chemistry. His work addresses nuclear materials (zirconium hydrides), biomaterials (bone fracture), and environmental materials (clay for waste containment). He develops multi-scale models from quantum mechanics to solid mechanics. Recent publications highlight trends in machine learning interatomic potentials, amorphous materials simulation, and radiation effects in nuclear materials. Key areas include high entropy alloys, zirconium alloys for nuclear cladding, and neural networks for electron microscopy analysis. Scientific Awards: No awards mentioned in the provided text. Dr. Béland leads the Béland Lab, advising graduate students in computational materials science. Specific student names and grant details were not provided. The Béland Lab collaborates with Queen's Reactor Materials Testing Laboratory and the Center for Advanced Computing (Compute Canada), utilizing supercomputing to model materials across length and time scales from nanometers to meters.
Dr. Tomas L Martin is an Associate Professor in Materials Physics at the School of Physics, University of Bristol . As a key member of the Interface Analysis Centre and Cabot Institute for the Environment 's Materials and Devices theme, his work bridges advanced experimental and computational materials science. His research focuses on microstructural characterization using techniques like atom probe tomography , focused ion beam , and electron microscopy , combined with density functional theory and finite element modeling . Research Collaborations : Works with Schools of Physics, Engineering, Chemistry, and Earth Sciences Industrial Partners : EDF Energy, NNL, Rolls Royce, UKAEA Research areas emphasize nuclear power plant materials, semiconductor devices, aerospace applications, and renewable energy systems. Key topics include: Corrosion Mechanisms in stainless steels and alloys Radiation Damage in structural materials Microstructure-Property Relationships through multiscale characterization Computational Modeling of phase chemistry and stress distribution Scientific recognition includes: Amazon Physical Science Fellowship (2022) David Cockayne Junior Research Fellowship (2015) IOM3 Cook/Ablett Award (2017) He supervises PhD projects in nuclear fission/fusion, aerospace, and renewable energy domains while teaching the MSc in Nuclear Science and Engineering . As Editor-in-Chief of Materials Today Communications , he contributes to academic leadership in materials science publishing.
Dr. Loren M. Picco is a Research Fellow at the Interface Analysis Centre, University of Bristol, specializing in advanced scanning probe microscopy techniques. His work focuses on pushing the limits of atomic force microscopy (AFM) speed and sensitivity, including development of the fastest contact mode AFM (1,200 FPS) and Transverse Dynamic Force Microscopy (TDFM). Key Projects : Measuring MEMS in Bristol (EPSRC-funded), AFM studies of Alzheimer's disease mechanisms, and hydrodynamic micro-cantilever research Research Themes : Materials & Devices, Surface Science, Nanotechnology His recent publications highlight applications in DNA imaging, phosphorene nanoribbons, and nuclear material analysis, demonstrating interdisciplinary impact across physics, engineering, and biomedical fields. Collaborations span institutions like the University of Arkansas and involve 52 total research outputs.
Charlie Hirst is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Nuclear Engineering & Engineering Physics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he leads the Wisconsin Ion Beam Laboratory's development of in situ ion irradiation experiments for nuclear fission and fusion materials research. His educational background includes: PhD in Nuclear Science and Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2022) MEng from University of Oxford (2015) Dr. Hirst's research focuses on radiation damage mechanisms in nuclear materials through innovative in situ experiments combining mechanical testing, thermal analysis, and atomistic simulations. His work investigates defect evolution under coupled extremes of radiation, stress, and temperature to develop resilient materials for next-generation reactors, with emphasis on stored energy measurements , irradiation creep , and defect recovery stages . His publication portfolio shows strong interdisciplinary trends spanning nuclear forensics, superconducting magnet safety, and advanced characterization techniques. Key methodological themes include differential scanning calorimetry, machine learning analysis of microscopy data, and gradient irradiation experiments targeting both fission and fusion applications. His notable awards include: 2025 Steven J. and Teresa M. Zinkle Nuclear Materials Assistant Professorship 2020 MIT Exponent Fellowship 2019 ORNL MeV Summer School Best Team Project Multiple University of Oxford academic prizes (2012-2015) Industry-sponsored materials science awards from TATA Steel and Rolls Royce Dr. Hirst advises graduate researchers through N E 890 (Pre-Dissertator's Research) and N E 790 (Master's Research), while teaching core courses like N E 231 (Introduction to Nuclear Engineering). His research program integrates university resources with national laboratory collaborations for advanced materials testing. He directs the Wisconsin Ion Beam Laboratory's experimental development for mechanical testing and thermal analysis under irradiation, maintaining active partnerships with MIT, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and international fusion research initiatives to advance nuclear materials science.
Brian Wirth is a Governor's Chair Professor and Head in the Department of Nuclear Engineering at the University of Tennessee Knoxville (UTK) with a joint appointment at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). He is an authority in the ways materials behave in extreme environments, with research focused on nuclear fuels and structural materials in nuclear environments. His work investigates the performance of nuclear fuels and structural materials to improve prediction of reactor component longevity and develop high-performance, radiation-resistant materials for advanced nuclear fission and fusion energy applications. Within the Consortium for Advanced Simulation of Light Water Reactors (CASL), the first US Department Of Energy Innovation Hub, Wirth leads the fuels, materials, and chemistry focus area, and serves as the grid-to-rod fretting challenge problem integrator. Dr. Wirth's publication record demonstrates sustained contributions across nuclear materials science, with particular expertise in fission gas behavior, radiation effects on materials, and computational modeling of nuclear systems. His work spans both theoretical frameworks and experimental validation, addressing critical challenges from fundamental materials science to practical reactor applications. His scientific awards include: Ernest Orlando Lawrence Award (2015) - the highest honor for a US Department of Energy midcareer researcher American Nuclear Society Fellow (2017) AAAS Fellow (2016) Dr. Wirth has led major research initiatives including the Department of Energy's Energy Innovation Hub (CASL), which received a five-year renewal of funding in January 2015. His work has been supported by substantial DOE grants and has direct applications for improving nuclear safety and developing next-generation nuclear energy systems for both fission and fusion applications. He leads interdisciplinary research teams working at the intersection of materials science, nuclear engineering, and computational science, utilizing advanced facilities at both UT Knoxville and ORNL to address critical challenges in nuclear materials performance and reactor design.
