Postdoctoral Researchers

• Dr. Yu Sun - 2013-2019 - Electrical Contact Alloys and Microstructural Development in Additive Manufacturing
  Now: Principal Engineer at Pratt & Whitney, East Hartford, CT, USA [web: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yu-sun-21997048/]
• Dr. Lichun Zhang - 2003-2006 - Interfacial Structure and Processes in TiAl-Based Alloys
  Now: Electron Microscopy Specialist, IMS, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA [email: lichun.zhang@uconn.edu]
• Dr. Tao Zhou - 2002-2004 - Development of Pseudo-elastic Ti-Mo Alloys
  Now: Principal Engineer, Collins Aerospace, Windsor Locks, CT, USA [web: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tao-zhou-251b5215/]
• Dr. Alexandre L Vasiliev - 2001-2005 - Structural Amorphous Aluminum Alloys
  Now: Head of Electron Microscopy, National Research Centre "Kurchatov Institute", Moscow, Russia [email: a.vasiliev56@gmail.com]
• Dr. Agnieszka Wusatowska-Sarnek - 2000-2002 - Microstructural Development in Powder-Processed IN100
  Now: Head of Structural Materials & Joining, Commonwealth Fusion Systems, Devens, MA, USA
  [web: https://www.linkedin.com/in/agnieszka-wusatowska-sarnek/]

Graduate Students

• Mingxuan Li - PhD 2024 – Thesis title: “Additive Manufacturing of Al-Cr-Co-Mn-Zr Alloys Containing Icosahedral Quasicrystalline Dispersoids”. Now: Process Engineer, Lam Research, Fremont, CA, USA. [web: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mingxuan-li-3b0862260/]
• Sarshad Rommel - PhD 2022 - Thesis title: “Corrosion Phenomena in Powder Processed Aluminum Alloys Containing Icosahedral Quasicrystalline Dispersoids”.
  Now: Postdoctoral Research Associate, IMS, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
  [web: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarshad-rommel-692481217/]
• Hannah Leonard - PhD 2021 - Thesis title: “The Morphological Development and Mechanical and Thermal Behavior of Powder-Processed Icosahedral-Phase-Strengthened Aluminum Alloys”.
  Now: Senior Lithography System Performance Engineer, ASML, Wilton, CT, USA. [web: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-r-leonard/]
• Alexis Ernst - PhD 2021 - Thesis title: “Effect of Atomization and Processing Gases on Microstructures in Additively Manufactured 17-4PH Stainless Steel”.
  Now: Senior Engineer, Pratt & Whitney, East Hartford, CT, USA. [web: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexis-ernst-1406a25b/]
• Benjamin Bedard - PhD 2021 - Thesis title: “Microstructural Development in Cold Sprayed Al 6061: Feedstock Powders, Single-Particle Impacts, and Consolidated Coatings”.
  Now: Senior Research Engineer, Raytheon Technologies, East Hartford, CT, USA. [web: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-bedard-a02a88111/]
• Sriram Vijayan - PhD 2018 - Thesis title: "In Situ Investigation of Thermally Activated Processes Using MEMS-Based Devices: Challenges & Applications”. Now: Assistant Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, USA.
  [web: https://www.mtu.edu/materials/department/faculty/vijayan/]
• Haibo Yu - PhD 2017 - Thesis title: "Microstructural Studies of Ag/W and Ag₃Sn/Cu₃Sn Alloys for Electrical Circuit Breaker Contacts”.
  Now: Staff Reliability Engineer, Form Energy, Somerville, MA, USA. [web: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haibo-uconn/]
• Louis V Gambino - PhD 2015 - Thesis title: "Evaluation of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Interconnect Coatings: Mechanisms Behind Structure and Property Change During Reaction Layer Formation”.
  Now: XRD Chemist, Johnson Matthey, King of Prussia, PA, USA. [web: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louis-gambino-380b772b/]
• Mauricio A Gordillo - PhD 2014 - Thesis title: "Structure/Property Relationships in Two Powder-Processed Al-Transition Metal-Rare Earth Alloys”; MS 2011- Thesis title: "Serial Sectioning using Focused Ion Beam for Three-Dimensional Tomographic Reconstruction of Microstructural Development in Forged Al-Ni-Y-Co Alloys”.
  Now: Principal Engineer at Pratt & Whitney, East Hartford, CT, USA.
• Neal J Magdefrau - PhD 2013 - Thesis title: "Evaluation of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Interconnect Coatings: Reaction Layer Microstructure, Chemistry and Formation Mechanisms"; MS 2006 - Thesis title: "Characterization of Al-4Ni-4Y-1Co Gas-Atomized Powder".
  Now: Founder & CEO, Electron Microscopy Innovative Technologies LLC, Tolland, CT, USA.
  [web: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neal-magdefrau-50a21b22/]
• Bilge Seda Senturk - PhD 2012 - Thesis title: "Base Metal Alloys with Conductive Native Oxides" Now: Consultant - Quality and Reliability Management, Seattle, WA, USA. [web: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bilgesenturk/]
• Jacquelynn KM Garofano - PhD 2012 - Thesis title: "Microstructural Evolution of Magnesia/YttriaNanocomposites"; MS 2009 - Thesis title: "Microstructural Effects in Laser-Drilled Superalloys".
  Now: Chief Technology Officer, Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, East Hartford, CT, USA.
  [web: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jkmgarofano/]
• Chigozie K Muoto - PhD 2011 - Thesis title: "Y₂O₃-MgO Nano-Composites Synthesized by Plasma Spraying and Thermal Decomposition of Solution Precursors"; MS 2009 - Thesis title: "The Effects of Plasma Spray Process Routes on the Microstructure of Ceramic Coatings".
  Now: Senior Vice President and Head of Product Strategy, Flexnode, Hillsboro, OR, USA. [web: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chigoziemuoto/]
• Justice Quaye - MS 2010 - Thesis title: "Effects of Contaminants on PEM Fuel Cells"
  Now: Engineering Manager, Intel Corporation, Chandler, AZ, USA. [web: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jquaye/]
• Yan-Ling Hu - PhD 2009 - Thesis title: "Phase Stability in a Quinternary Nb-Mo-Cr-Al-Si Alloy”.
  Now: Associate Professor, Dept of Materials Science and Engineering, Xiamen University of Technology, China.
  [web: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yanling-hu-555b1315/]
• Jen-Tai Li - MS 2008 - Thesis title: "Catalyst Degradation in Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cells"
  Now: Regional (Asia) Quality Manager, Vishay Intertechnology Inc, Taipei, Taiwan. [web: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtlee0211/]
• Usanee Kitkamthorn - PhD 2007 - Thesis title: "Morphology and Structure of Borides in TiAl-Based Alloys"
  Now: Assistant Professor, School of Metallurgical Engineering, Suranaree University of Technology, Thailand.
  [web: https://eng.sut.ac.th/ENG2023/personnel/usanee-kitkamthorn/]
• Christopher Gatto - MS 2006 - Thesis title: "Microstructural Development in Dual Phase Titanium Alloys"
  Now: Materials Engineer, Honeywell Aerospace, Phoenix, AZ, USA. [web: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-g-51706512/]
• Dafei Kang - PhD 2006 - Thesis title: "Structural Studies of Carbon Aerogels and Their Metal-Loaded Derivatives"; MS 2002 - Thesis title: "A TEM Study of the Self-Assembly Behavior of Tri-N-Octyl Phosphine Oxide Coated CdSe Quantum Dots"
• Kai Song - PhD 2005 - Thesis title: "Grain Growth Phenomena in Powder Metallurgy Ni-Based Superalloys”.
  Now: Failure Analysis and Materials Engineer, Apple, Cupertino, CA, USA. [web: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaisong/]

Postdoctoral Researchers

• Dr. Gaoning Kong - 1998-99 - TEM Studies of High-Tc Superconductors
• Dr. Ping Shang - 1997-99 - Interfacial Structure in Ti-Al Alloys
• Dr. Tie-Sheng Rong - 1997-99 - Microstructural Development in Exotic Intermetallics. Deceased.
• Dr. G Robert Millward - 1997-99 - Oxidation and Carbon Deposition on AGR Fuel Pins. Retired.
• Dr. Saccha E Johnson - 1995-98 - SPM Studies of Epitaxial Superconductor Thin Films
• Dr. David K Tappin - 1993-96 - Deformation Behaviour of Nb-Al-V Alloys.
• Dr. Xiu-Qiang Tong - 1993-95 - Scanned Probe Microscopy Studies of Electrode Processes
  Now: Agilent Technologies, Phoenix, AZ, USA [web: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tong-xq-37300618/]

Graduate Students

• Zhong-Yi Liu - PhD 2002 - Thesis title: "Phase Transformations in ZrCu Alloys"
• Ying Li - PhD 2002 - Thesis title: "Oxidation of Rare-Earth Transition Metal Magnet Alloys"
• Huisheng Jiao - PhD 2002 - Thesis title: "Interfacial Structure in Duplex Stainless Steels"
  Now: Application and Sales Manager for APAC, Bruker Nano Analytics, Shanghai, China.
  [web: https://www.linkedin.com/in/huisheng-jiao-34125132/]
• Yan Hu - PhD 2002 - Thesis title: "Structural Studies of Zn Coatings on NdFeB Magnets"
• Dmitrij O Klenov - PhD 2001 - Thesis title: "Interfacial Structure in Near Beta Titanium Alloys"
• Now: Product Manager, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Eindhoven, The Netherlands. [web: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dmitri-klenov-12023533/]
• Anja Wellner - PhD 2001 - Thesis title: "PL and TEM Studies of Nanoscale Silicon Clusters"
• Xin-Yi Wang - PhD 2000 - Thesis title: "Microstructural Development in Sputtered MoSi₂ Thin Films"
  Now: Kaida Technology Ltd., London, UK.
• Chengge Jiao - PhD 2000 - Thesis title: "Effect of Ternary Alloying on the Deformation of MoSi₂"
  Now: Staff Scientist, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Eindhoven, The Netherlands. [web: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chengge-jiao-b062ba65/]
• David J Norris - PhD 2000 - Thesis title: "Effect of Deposition Variables on YBa₂Cu₃O_7-δ Thin Films"
• David N Horspool - PhD 2000 - Thesis title: "Development of Ductile Heat-Treatable Nb-Al-V Alloys”
  Now: Lead Engineer at Nike Sports Research Laboratory, Hillsboro, OR, USA. [web: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-horspool-3340184/]
• Antonis V Kazantzis - PhD 1999 - Thesis title: "Deformation Mechanisms in the Laves Phase Cr2Nb"
• Stacy N Williams - MPhil 1998 - Thesis title: " TEM Studies of Self-Assembled Au Nanocrystals"
• Shun-Cai Wang - PhD 1998 - Thesis title: "HAGB Structure in Widmanstatten Alpha Titanium"
  Now: Lecturer, School of Engineering Sciences, University of Southampton, UK.
  [web: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/people/5wz85x/doctor-shuncai-wang]
• Richard Chester - PhD 1997 - Thesis title: "Studies of Heteroepitaxial CdTe and CMT on Si and GaAs”
  Now: Principal Solutions Architect, Amazon Web Serrvices, London, UK. [web: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-chester-006b78a/]
• Kevin N Riddell - PhD 1996 - Thesis title: "SPM Studies of Ni Electrodeposition and Cu Electropolishing"
  Now: Principal Process Engineer, SPTS, Newport, UK. [web: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-riddell-41469313/]
• Rebecca L Higginson - PhD 1996 - Thesis title: "Effect of Second Phase Particles on Recrystallisation in Al"
  Now: Department Head and Reader and in Metallurgy & Materials Engineering, Department of Materials, Loughborough University, UK.
  [web: https://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/materials/staff/rebecca-higginson/]
• Lee S Smith - PhD 1995 - Thesis title: "Defects and Deformation in V-Modified Nb-Al Alloys"
  Now: Technical Advisor (Materials & Corosion), BP Exploration and Production, Sundbury, UK
  [web: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lee-smith-31a41518/]
• Mark Yeadon - PhD 1995 - Thesis title: "Microstructures and Properties of YBa₂Cu₃O_7-δ Thin Films"
  Now: Patent Attorney and Director, Yeadon IP Ltd., Leeds, UK. [web: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-yeadon-507b732/]
• Ian MacLaren - PhD 1995 - Thesis title: "Grain Boundary Structure in Hexagonal Close-Packed Metals"
  Now: Reader in Physics & Astronomy, University of Glasgow, UK. [web: https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/physics/staff/ianmaclaren/]