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Carlos G. Levi is a Research Professor in the Department of Materials at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), part of the College of Engineering. He holds the additional title of Professor Emeritus. His research focuses on microstructure evolution in inorganic materials, particularly in the design of advanced coatings, composites, and alloys for extreme environments. He has contributed significantly to thermal barrier coatings, ceramic matrix composites, and high-temperature alloys for aerospace and energy applications. Education: Ph.D. in Metallurgical Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (1981) M.Sc. in Metallurgical Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (1977) Degree in Chemical Engineering, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Mexico (1972) Research Interests: Levi’s work addresses challenges in structural materials, including advanced thermal/environmental barrier coatings resistant to molten silicates, ceramic matrix composites, hypersonic materials, and high-temperature alloys such as multi-principal element alloys. His studies explore degradation mechanisms, phase stability under extreme conditions, and novel synthesis techniques like vapor-mediated melt infiltration. Awards and Honors: 2014 TMS Morris Cohen Award 2012 Fellow of the American Ceramic Society 2008 NIMS Award (shared) for breakthroughs in materials science for energy/environment 2004 DLR Wissenschaftspreis (collaborative paper) 2002 Alexander von Humboldt Research Prize Advising and Grants: No formal student advisees are listed, though his research group likely includes graduate students/postdocs. Grant details are not specified in the provided texts. Labs/Teams: Levi’s research is conducted within UCSB’s Materials Department, leveraging advanced characterization tools (e.g., TriBeam tomography) and computational modeling to study material behavior under extreme conditions.

• Structural Materials
• Thermal Barrier Coatings
• Ceramic Matrix Composites
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Sebastian Kube is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Materials Science & Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison's College of Engineering, with additional affiliation in Mechanical Engineering. His research accelerates alloy development through autonomous discovery methods combining robotics, data science, and advanced characterization. Dr. Kube's educational background includes: Postdoctoral Researcher (2023), University of California Santa Barbara (Tresa Pollock Lab) PhD (2021), Yale University (Jan Schroers Lab) BS (2016), Giessen University His work focuses on refractory multi-principal element alloys for extreme environments (>1300°C) and metallic liquid structure-property relationships. He develops autonomous platforms to navigate complex parameter spaces, targeting improved glass forming ability and rapid solidification processing through B2 precipitation strategies and novel characterization techniques. Recent publications emphasize refractory high-entropy alloys, BCC-B2 systems, and metallic glasses, integrating experimental and computational approaches to decode phase stability, deformation mechanisms, and glass formation for accelerated materials design. Major recognitions include: 2025 DARPA Young Faculty Award 2024 ARPA-E IGNIITE Early Career Award RCSA Scialog Fellowship for Automating Chemical Laboratories He mentors graduate students through thesis courses (M S & E 790/890/990) and leads the Autonomous Alloy Discovery Lab, which develops robotic systems for high-throughput experimentation. Current projects target next-generation turbine alloys and environmentally sustainable materials for aerospace, energy, and defense applications.

• Autonomous materials discovery
• Refractory alloys for extreme environments
• Glass forming ability and structure of metallic liquids
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Dr. Daniel Oropeza is an Assistant Professor in the Materials Department at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), within the College of Engineering. His research focuses on advancing materials and manufacturing technologies for aerospace systems and extreme environments, emphasizing process-microstructure-property relationships. He leads the Materials and Manufacturing for Aerospace and Extremes (MMAX) Lab, which develops novel techniques for powder synthesis, additive manufacturing, and ceramic processing. Education: Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering (MIT, 2021) M.S. in Aeronautics and Astronautics (Stanford, 2014) B.S. in Aerospace Engineering (UT Austin, 2012) Research Interests: His work spans powder synthesis (e.g., ultrasonic atomization of refractory alloys), additive manufacturing (porous materials, reactive binder jetting), and functional ceramics for applications in hypersonics, space propulsion, and robotics. The MMAX Lab integrates material science, mechanical engineering, and advanced manufacturing testbeds to enable responsive manufacturing solutions. Awards & Grants: LLNL Early Career UC Faculty Initiative Award (2024) Global Young Investigator Award (ACerS, 2025) ONR Grant for Ultrasonic Atomization Research (2024) CNSI Challenge Grant for UC M 2 ADE Consortium (2024) Advising & Labs: He mentors a team of graduate and undergraduate students in the MMAX Lab, focusing on projects like NASA-funded research on refractory metal alloys for space propulsion. The lab collaborates with national labs (e.g., LLNL) and industry partners to bridge fundamental research and applied technologies. Labs/Teams: MMAX Lab develops custom equipment for powder bed fusion, nanoparticle jetting, and reactive binder jetting systems. Current projects include ultra-high temperature ceramics (UHTCs) for extreme environments and multi-material manufacturing for defense and energy applications.

• Additive Manufacturing
• Materials Science
• Aerospace Engineering
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Jaafar El-Awady is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University (JHU). He serves as Chair of JHU’s Engineering for Professionals’ Mechanical Engineering Graduate Program, founder/director of the Computational and Experimental Materials Engineering Laboratory (CEMEL), and associate director of the Center on Artificial Intelligence for Materials in Extreme Environments (CAIMEE) and the Center for Integrated Structure-Materials Modeling and Simulations (CISMMS). His secondary appointment in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering underscores his interdisciplinary focus.

• Multiscale Materials Modeling
• Mechanics of Materials
• Deformation and Fracture Mechanics
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Krishnan Raja is Professor in the Department of Nuclear Engineering & Industrial Management at University of Idaho's College of Engineering. With a PhD from IIT Chennai and professional engineering licensure, his research focuses on materials performance in extreme environments. Research areas span nuclear materials degradation, electrochemical engineering, and energy materials. Current projects investigate structural materials for molten salt reactors, nuclear waste management, and energy conversion systems. His lab employs corrosion science, electrochemistry, and materials characterization techniques. Honors include the DARPA Young Faculty Award and multiple teaching excellence recognitions. His publication record demonstrates strong emphasis on corrosion mechanisms, waste treatment technologies, and advanced material performance with over 150 peer-reviewed publications. DARPA Young Faculty Award (2012) University of Idaho Alumni Excellence Award (2015, 2016) Key Reader Award (2018-2021)

• Nuclear Materials
• Electrochemical Engineering
• Corrosion Science
• +3 more

Dr. Carolina Tallon is an Associate Professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech). She leads the Tallon Research Group, focusing on advanced ceramic materials for extreme environments. Her work emphasizes colloidal processing techniques, near-net-shaping methods, and modeling of materials properties. Education: B.E. in Chemical Engineering, Universidad de Granada, Spain Ph.D. in Chemistry (joint program), Universidad Autonoma de Madrid & Institute of Ceramics and Glass (CSIC) Research Interests: Ceramics Processing Ultra-High Temperature Ceramics (UHTCs) Multi-Scale Porous Materials Near-Net-Shaping Techniques Surface Science & Rheology Materials Properties Modeling Recent Research Trends: Dr. Tallon's work highlights innovative methods to fabricate complex ceramic geometries with controlled microstructures. Key areas include optimizing solvent systems for UHTC shaping, developing HERO coatings for refractory alloys, and simulating thermomechanical behavior of porous ceramics under extreme conditions. Awards: Jubilee Global Diversity Award (ACerS Engineering Ceramics Division, 2020) Advising & Grants: Supervises graduate students like Sydney Hulse and Hui-Chun (June) Yu. Active in securing grants, including a 2021 award for additive manufacturing infrastructure. Collaborates on projects involving cellulose nanomaterials and laser powder bed fusion. Labs & Facilities: Leads the Tallon Research Lab at Virginia Tech, equipped for advanced ceramic processing, thermal analysis, and microstructural characterization. Engages in outreach to promote STEM education and sustainable manufacturing practices.

• Ceramics Processing
• Colloidal Processing
• Surface Science
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Shuozhi Xu is an Assistant Professor in the School of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering at the University of Oklahoma. He holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology (2016), with additional master's degrees in Computational Science and Engineering (Georgia Tech, 2015) and Solid Mechanics (China Academy of Engineering Physics, 2011). His research focuses on advancing multi-physics and data-driven methods for materials modeling, with applications in additive manufacturing and complex materials. He has held postdoctoral positions at UC Santa Barbara and Georgia Tech, and his work has been recognized through awards including the Elings Prize Fellowship and Sigma Xi Best Thesis Award. Education: Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Tech (2016) M.S., Computational Science and Engineering, Georgia Tech (2015) M.S., Solid Mechanics, China Academy of Engineering Physics (2011) B.S., Thermal Energy and Power Engineering, Beihang University (2008) His research interests span computational materials science, dislocation dynamics, and machine learning-driven materials design. Recent work includes studies on nanolaminates, refractory alloys, and generative AI for materials modeling. He has authored over 50 peer-reviewed articles and serves as a lecturer for courses in computational materials science and solid mechanics. His lab, the Computational Materials, Mechanics, and Manufacturing (CM³) Lab, emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to materials innovation. Awards: Finalist, Rising Stars in Computational Materials Science (2022) TMS Light Metals Division Best Poster Award (2020) Elings Prize Fellowship (2017) Sigma Xi Best Thesis Award (2017) Dr. Xu advises multiple doctoral and master’s students and collaborates on grants funded by the University of Oklahoma and external agencies. His lab’s current projects include AI-driven design of materials for extreme environments and physics-based models for additive manufacturing processes.

• Materials Science
• Computational Mechanics
• Additive Manufacturing
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Rajiv Asthana is a Professor in the Department of Engineering & Technology at the University of Wisconsin-Stout, part of the Robert F. Cervenka School of Engineering. He holds a Ph.D. in Materials Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, an M.S. in Materials Science from the Indian Institute of Technology, and a B.S. in Metallurgical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology. His academic career focuses on advanced materials science and manufacturing processes, particularly in ceramic-metal joining technologies and high-temperature materials integration. Dr. Asthana’s research emphasizes diffusion bonding, active metal brazing, and interfacial characterization of ceramic-matrix composites with metallic systems. He explores applications in thermal management systems, solid oxide fuel cells, and aerospace components. His work addresses challenges in material compatibility, microstructural evolution, and mechanical performance under extreme conditions. His publications highlight advancements in joining techniques for silicon carbide, silicon nitride, and zirconia-based ceramics to metals like titanium, nickel alloys, and molybdenum-copper composites. He also investigates sustainable manufacturing practices and nanomaterials integration. As an editorial board member and reviewer, he contributes to peer review processes for materials science journals. Dr. Asthana’s research has led to innovations in brazing alloy design, interlayer optimization for ceramic-metal joints, and thermal cycling durability assessments. His work bridges materials science with engineering applications, aiming to enhance material performance in high-stress environments.

• Materials Science
• Ceramic Engineering
• Materials Processing
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Yanqing Su is an Assistant Professor in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Utah State University, appointed in 2020. She holds a PhD in Geophysics from Georgia Tech (2017), an MS in Computational Science from Georgia Tech (2016), and BS/MS degrees in Space Physics from University of Science and Technology of China. Research focuses on computational materials science across scales, including machine learning for material property prediction, irradiation effects in alloys, and battery interface phenomena. Specializes in atomistic simulations and multiscale modeling. Recent publications explore diffusion in alloys, dislocation mechanics in extreme environments, and battery electrolyte interfaces. Leads the Computational Material research under Extreme Environment (CMEELab) group. Teaches numerical methods, materials science, and computational mechanics. Mentors graduate students in multiscale materials modeling and directs research on radiation-resistant alloys and energy materials.

• Multiscale Materials Modeling
• Refractory Alloys
• Radiation Damage
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Steven Zinkle is a Professor in the Materials Science and Engineering department at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, affiliated with the Tickle College of Engineering. His research focuses on advanced materials for extreme environments, particularly in nuclear and fusion energy applications. Key areas include radiation effects in metals, high-temperature ceramics, and materials for plasma-facing components. His work addresses challenges such as irradiation-induced microstructural evolution, thermal stability under extreme conditions, and material compatibility with hydrogen or corrosive environments. Notable contributions include studies on ferritic/martensitic steels, refractory alloys, and composites for fusion reactors. He has pioneered methodologies in electron microscopy for defect analysis and developed novel materials for neutron and ion irradiation environments. Recent projects involve correlative microscopy techniques (STEM/APT), ion-beam simulations, and additive manufacturing of high-performance alloys. Collaborations include international initiatives like the FRONTIER US-Japan joint effort on plasma-material interfaces. Despite extensive publications, no specific student advising or awarded honors are explicitly listed in the provided texts. His lab focuses on bridging computational modeling with experimental validation to accelerate materials qualification for next-generation reactors. Current efforts emphasize predictive pathways for radiation-tolerant materials and high-throughput screening of candidate alloys.

• Materials Science
• Nuclear Materials
• Radiation Effects in Materials
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Donald W. Brenner is a Kobe Steel Distinguished Professor and Department Head in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at North Carolina State University . He earned his B.S. and Ph.D. in Chemistry from the State University of New York (1982) and Penn State University (1987), respectively, followed by a research staff role at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory. His career at NC State spans three decades, focusing on computational materials science and atomic-scale modeling. B.S. in Chemistry, State University of New York (1982) Ph.D. in Chemistry, Pennsylvania State University (1987) Brenner's research centers on computational materials modeling for extreme environments, particularly high entropy ceramics , tribology , and shock dynamics . His work employs density functional theory, molecular dynamics, and multi-scale simulations to study materials like diamond clusters, nanotubes, and self-assembled monolayers. Recent publications emphasize defect properties, hardness optimization, and machine-learned interatomic potentials for ternary and high-entropy systems. Scientific honors include the 2002 Feynman Prize (nanotechnology), 2013 Alcoa Foundation Award , and 2016 Alexander Quarles Holladay Medal . He is also an editor of the Handbook of Nanoscience, Engineering and Technology (CRC Press, 2002-2012). His research group develops reactive empirical bond order (REBO) potentials and explores tribochemical processes, shock-induced chemistry, and nanoscale device engineering.

• Computational Materials Science
• High Entropy Ceramics
• Tribology and Tribochemistry
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Laszlo J. Kecskes is a Research Professor at the Hopkins Extreme Materials Institute (HEMI) of Johns Hopkins University, with secondary appointments in the Departments of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering. With over 30 years of prior experience at the US Army Research Laboratory, he specializes in materials for extreme environments, including nanostructured alloys, reactive materials, and refractory metals. He holds 13 patents in materials processing and fabrication techniques. His education includes a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Delaware (1996), an M.S. in Physics from the University of Minnesota (1985), and a B.S. in Physics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1981). Kecskes' research focuses on thermomechanical processing of lightweight alloys (e.g., Mg-Al systems), meso-structure modification of reactive materials, and additive manufacturing of refractory alloys. His work employs severe plastic deformation (e.g., ECAE), combustion synthesis, and dynamic characterization to establish processing-structure-property relationships under extreme conditions. Recent work emphasizes magnesium alloy refinement, tungsten-based composites, and high-strain-rate behavior. Awards & Honors: Paul A. Siple Silver Medallion Award (2004) Best Paper, 24th Army Science Conference (2004) Bronze Medallion Award, 20th Army Science Conference (1996) Sigma Pi Sigma Honor Society (1979) Grants: Pending funding for Morphological and Topological Tailoring of Reactive Materials from Air Force Research Laboratory (2024–2025, $110,000). He mentors undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral researchers at Johns Hopkins and collaborates with institutions like North Carolina A&T State University on alloy processing studies.

• Materials Science
• Thermomechanical Processing
• Nanostructured Alloys
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Dr. Ke An serves as a Distinguished R&D Staff Scientist and Lead Scientist of the VULCAN instrument at the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory while holding an Adjunct Faculty position in the Department of Materials Science at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. With over two decades of experience in neutron scattering research, Dr. An leads cutting-edge investigations into material behavior under extreme conditions and develops advanced scientific instrumentation for materials characterization. Dr. An's educational background includes: Ph.D. in Engineering Science and Mechanics from Virginia Tech (2003) M.S. in Chemical Engineering from Tianjin University (2000) B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Tianjin University (1998) B.S. in Management from Tianjin University (1998) His research program focuses on neutron scattering studies of material systems under temperature extremes, magnetic fields, electrical currents, and complex mechanical loading. Dr. An investigates residual stress and deformation behavior in structural materials including high entropy alloys, additively manufactured alloys, high strength steel, and lightweight alloys. His work encompasses deformation mechanisms, structural phase transitions in magnetic shape memory materials, thermal mechanical integrity of engineering materials, and synthesis of energy storage and conversion materials. He has pioneered techniques for high spatial resolution neutron diffraction to study critical engineering components. Dr. An's publication record demonstrates consistent leadership in applying neutron diffraction to solve complex materials engineering challenges. His recent work shows increasing integration of machine learning with traditional neutron scattering methods, development of specialized instrumentation like the RICH system, and application of advanced characterization techniques to emerging materials including refractory high-entropy alloys and additively manufactured composites. His research bridges fundamental materials science with practical engineering applications across energy systems and advanced manufacturing sectors. Dr. An's scientific achievements have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards: Fellow of the Neutron Scattering Society of America (2024) RD 100 Award (2023) UT-Battelle Distinguished Researcher Award for career (2022) Nature Communications Metallurgy Paper Collection recognition (2023) Multiple Top 10 Neutron Scattering Achievements awards (2018-2022) Best Team Science Award for Additive Manufacturing (2023) As Lead Scientist of the VULCAN instrument, Dr. An directs significant research resources and collaborates extensively with industry partners through the Industry Applications Program. He coordinates the Materials & Engineering Science Initiative and serves as Point of Contact for the New Materials and Engineering Instrument at the Second Target Station. Dr. An also contributes to the scientific community as Associate Editor for Frontiers in Materials and Editorial Board Member for Scientific Reports, providing guidance on scholarly publications in materials science. Dr. An leads the VULCAN engineering materials diffractometer, a premier facility for in-situ and operando materials characterization at the Spallation Neutron Source. His team develops specialized equipment including the RICH (Robotic Interface Control & Handling) system for advanced sample manipulation during neutron experiments. He also oversees patent development related to neutron instrumentation, including the recently granted 'NEUTRONIC ENGINE' patent (US 11,768,128 B2, 2023), demonstrating his commitment to translating scientific discoveries into practical technological innovations.

• Neutron Scattering
• Materials Science
• Residual Stress Analysis
• +7 more

Dr. S Krishna Varma is a Professor in the Department of Metallurgical, Materials and Biomedical Engineering (MMBME) at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). His research focuses on structure-property relationships in metals and alloys, alloy development using phase diagrams, and microstructure evolution. He specializes in high-temperature oxidation resistance, particularly in Nb-based alloys for aerospace applications. His work is supported by NSF, DOE, DLA, ONR, and Texas Higher Education agencies. Research highlights include novel alloy development for turbine blades and advanced structural analysis during annealing recovery. With over 100 refereed publications and 120 conference presentations, he is internationally recognized as an expert, serving on editorial boards and as a peer reviewer. Funding sources include federal agencies like NSF and DOE, and state programs like Texas ARP. His current research emphasizes refractory metals for high-temperature systems, addressing oxidation kinetics and alloy durability in extreme environments.

• structure-property relationships in metals
• alloy development
• microstructure evolution in metals
• +7 more

Atieh Moridi is Assistant Professor and Aref and Manon Lahham Faculty Fellow in Cornell's Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. She directs research on advanced manufacturing techniques for high-performance materials, particularly metal additive processes for biomedical and extreme-environment applications. Research combines synchrotron characterization with novel processing methods to develop degradable implants and refractory composites. Recent NSF-funded projects focus on in-situ reactive printing and porous structure fabrication. Awards: Two-time TMS Young Innovator (2024-2025) Office of Naval Research Young Investigator Leads the Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Manufacturing (LAMM) with NSF and DoD grants exceeding $3M.

• Additive Manufacturing
• Materials Science
• Biomedical Implants
• +1 more