Amanda Leong

Amanda Leong is a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Virginia Tech, affiliated with the Nuclear Engineering Program. She specializes in corrosion studies of materials in molten salts and extreme environments. Her work focuses on redox control, sensor development, and thermophysical property analysis of nuclear fuel salts. Leong holds a Ph.D. and B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Virginia Tech (2022) and The Ohio State University (2017), respectively.

Her research interests include aqueous/liquid metal corrosion, stress corrosion cracking, and materials characterization. She has contributed to advancements in corrosion-resistant alloys, sensor technology for harsh environments, and redox potential management in molten salt systems. Notable publications explore corrosion inhibition methods, interactions between uranium-bearing salts and graphite, and electrochemical measurements in high-temperature conditions.

• Awards: Honors Research Distinction (2017), Marion Smith Scholarship (2015-2016), Engineering Research Scholarship (2015)

Leong’s work has implications for next-generation nuclear reactors, clean energy systems, and accident-tolerant materials. She leads projects on molten salt corrosion mechanisms and sensor integration in nuclear environments.