People

Dr. Pavel Nikitin, Postdoctoral Research Associate
PhD, Materials Physics, Nat. Res. Tomsk State University, Russia (2021)
MS, Technical Physics, Nat. Res. Tomsk State University, Russia (2019)
BS, Technical Physics, Nat. Res. Tomsk State University, Russia (2017)
Research: Grain-boundary segregation and mechanical behavior in nanocrystalline and ultrafine-grained Ag-Ni-Cu alloys. Magnetron sputtering. Atomistic simulations.

Tara Nenninger, Graduate Student
MS Mechanical Engineering, University of Vermont (2021)
BS Mechanical Engineering, University of Vermont (2019)
BS Mathematics, University of Vermont (2019)
Research: Solute interactions and clustering at grain boundaries in Ag-Ni and Ag-Cu polycrystals. Atomistic spectral analysis.

Chris Kombo, Graduate Student
BS Physics, Saint Michaels College (2023), minor in Mathematics
BA French, Saint Michaels College (2023)
Research: Microstructures and mechanical behavior in refractory high-entropy alloys. Hybrid Monte-Carlo and molecular dynamics simulations.

Luke Randall, Graduate Student
BS Engineering, University of Vermont (2025)
Research: Microstructure and oxidation behavior of printed niobium alloys. Additive manufacturing.

JJ White, Graduate Student
BS Engineering Management, University of Vermont (2025)
Research: Atomic-scale deformation mechanisms in nanoparticle-embedded copper films. Molecular dynamics simulations.

Ethan Rubin
Senior Honors Thesis (2024)
BS Mechanical Engineering student, University of Vermont (2024)
Research: Size effects in 3D-printed 316L stainless steel.
Last sighted as: Advanced additive manufacturing engineer, Vermont Manufacturing Collaborative, Vermont State University in Randolph VT

Luc Capaldi
Senior thesis (2022)
BS Mechanical Engineering, University of Vermont (2022)
Research: Reactive molecular dynamics simulation of high-temperature oxidation in nanocrystalline silicon-carbide
Last sighted as: PhD student, mechanical engineering, Univ. of Pennsylvania

Dr. Rodrigo Penide-Fernandez
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Vermont (2021)
PhD Mechanical Engineering, University of Vermont (2020)
Engineer Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (2015)
Escola de Enxenaria Industrial, Universidad de Vigo, Spain
Research: Microscale heat transfer and micromechanics
Last sighted as: R&D scientist at Intel, Chandler, AZ (USA)

Khaoula Chougag
MS Mechanical Engineering, Mississippi State University (2020)
BS Aerospace Engineering, International University of Rabat, Morocco (2019)
Research: In-situ SEM tensile micromechanics
Last sighted as: Graduate student, Univ. of Central Florida

Eve-Audrey Picard
MS Mechanical Engineering, University of Vermont (2021)
BS Mechanical Engineering, University of Vermont (2020)
Research: Ni solute segregation and plasticity in nanocrystalline alloys
Last sighted as: R&D Engineer, EVNA Engineering, Canada

Ryan Pringle
MS Mechanical Engineering, University of Vermont (2021)
BS Mechanical Engineering, University of Vermont (2020)
Research: Atomistic simulation of plasticity in Ag-Ni nanolaminates
Last sighted as: Mechanical Engineer at General Dynamics – Electric Boat, Groton, CT

Akiva Gopalkrishnan
MS Mechanical Engineering, University of Vermont (2021)
BS Mechanical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Research: Finite-element modeling of deformation of random nanowire networks
Last sighted as: Mechanical Engineer at Husky IM, Milton, VT

Jacob Williams
MS Mechanical Engineering, University of Vermont (2021)
BS Mechanical Engineering, Wentworth Institute of Technology
Research: Peridynamics simulation of repeated impact on a metal plate
Last sighted as: Mechanical Engineer at General Dynamics, Burlington, VT

Dr. Qiongjiali Fang
PhD, Mechanical Engineering, University of Vermont (2020)
MS, Mechanical Engineering, University of Vermont (2015)
B.S. Materials Science & Engineering, Central South University (2013)
Research: Understanding grain boundary and stress concentration effects on strengthening mechanisms in nanotwinned metals

Dr. Zhiliang Pan
Postdoctoral Research Associate (2016-2019)
PhD, Mechanical Engineering, Univ. of North Carolina at Charlotte (2012)
B.Eng (2003) and M.Eng (2006) in Solid Mechanics, Northwestern Polytechnical University, China
Research: Atomistic simulation studies of segregation and plasticity mechanisms in nanocrystalline Ag-Ni and Ag-Cu alloys
Last sighted as: Professor, Guilin University of Electronic Technology, China.

Dr. Xing Ke
PhD, Materials Science, University of Vermont (2018)
M.S. Materials Physics & Chemistry, Dalian Univ. of Tech., China (2014)
B.S. Materials Physics, Wuhan Institute of Technology, China (2010)
Research: Segregation and strengthening mechanisms in nanotwinned Ag-Cu alloys
Last sighted as: Engineer, Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation, China.

Dr. Daniel Merkel
PhD, Mechanical Engineering, University of Wyoming (2018)
M.S. Mechanical Engineering, University of Vermont (2014)
B.S. Mechanical Engineering, University of Vermont (2012)
Research: Fabrication and electrical testing of flexible In-Sb nanowire polymer composites
Last sighted as: Materials Scientist at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory – PNNL