Alexandra Zevalkink

Alexandra Zevalkink is the C. Robert and Kathryn M. Weir Endowed Professor of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science at Michigan State University's College of Engineering. She joined MSU in 2016 after completing her Ph.D. at the California Institute of Technology (2013) and postdoctoral research at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids. Her research focuses on atomic structure-bonding relationships in inorganic materials, emphasizing elastic, thermal, and electronic properties. Techniques include in-situ elasticity measurements, high-pressure/high-temperature X-ray diffraction, and single-crystal growth methods.

Education: B.S. in Materials Science (Michigan Tech, 2008), Ph.D. in Materials Science (Caltech, 2013).

Research interests span thermoelectrics, Zintl phases, defect engineering, and materials for energy applications. Her work emphasizes bridging chemical bonding principles with practical material performance, particularly in low-thermal-conductivity materials. Recent trends in publications include investigations into vacancy effects, alloy design, and AI integration in materials education.

Notable contributions include studies on CaAgSb, Mg3Sb2, and layered pnictides. Active in academic outreach through REU programs and K-12 engineering initiatives. Runs the Zevalkink Research Group, which collaborates with institutions like Argonne National Lab and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Labs/Teams: Zevalkink Research Group focuses on synthesis, characterization, and computational modeling of advanced materials. Collaborates on projects involving high-pressure experiments and thermal transport analysis.