Dr. Christopher Marvel is an Assistant Professor in the MIE Department at LSU. His main research interests are focused on Materials Science and Engineering topics, namely: (i) processing-structure-property relationships of atomic-scale defects (e.g., grain boundaries), (ii) metastable processing methods to design novel materials (e.g., high-energy mechanical alloying and atmospheric plasma spray), (iii) application of aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) to evaluate atomic-structure and chemistry, (iv) Monte Carlo grain growth simulations, and (v) employing mixed reality applications to accelerate data acquisition, analysis, and training of novice users on characterization instruments. Dr. Marvel is active in ASM International and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the International Metallographic Society. He was a recipient of the 2023 ASM Bronze Medal Award. 

Expertise: High energy ball milling • sintering & grain growth • grain boundaries • atmospheric plasma spray • aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy • microanalysis • grain growth. simulations.

Fahima Shoan is a Postdoctoral Researcher in Mechanical Engineering at LSU with a Ph.D. in Chemistry (Polymer Science) from Louisiana State University. She previously earned her M.Sc. and B.Sc. in Applied Chemistry & Chemical Engineering from the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Her expertise spans polymerization kinetics, cure-on-demand adhesives, nonlinear polymer dynamics, and sustainable materials development, supported by experience with advanced characterization techniques (FIB-SEM, DSC, SAXS, XRD) and industrial collaboration with BASF.

As a postdoctoral researcher, she is investigating ultrasonic welding of glass fiber-reinforced thermoplastics, crystallization pathways using SAXS, DSC, and XRD, and microstructural evolution via FIB-SEM and thin-film deposition. During her doctoral research, she developed novel thiol-acrylate adhesives and explored frontal polymerization mechanisms with conductive fillers. Alongside research, she is committed to mentoring students and advancing interdisciplinary collaborations that translate polymer science into practical applications.

Rashed Mia is originally from Bangladesh. He completed his BS in Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at the University of Dhaka (DU) and an MS in Materials Chemistry from the University of South Dakota (USD), where his thesis focused on binary-phase NiO-TiO2 heterojunction nanocrystals for photocatalytic H2O2 formation. He joined LSU in the fall of 2023, and his current research focuses on investigating grain boundary complexion transitions and their impact on interfacial diffusivity in next-generation materials.

What fascinates him most about materials science and engineering is the opportunity to design and innovate materials at the atomic scale, addressing global challenges in energy, sustainability, and technology. His long-term goal is to pursue a career in academia, contributing to advancements in materials science and inspiring future generations of engineers.

Outside of research, he is a big soccer fan and a die-hard supporter of Real Madrid, the best club in the world. Cheers to all materials scientists and fellow Madridistas! 

Emma McCarthy is a first-year PhD student in Mechanical Engineering at Louisiana State University. Her research focuses on reactive materials, with an emphasis on grain boundary and interface engineering to better understand how material structure influences performance. She has extensive experience with materials characterization and advanced microscopy techniques, as well as mentoring and teaching.

In addition to her research, Emma serves as President of the Mechanical Engineering Graduate Student Association (MEGSA), where she works to build community and support professional development among graduate students. She was awarded supplemental funding through the LaSPACE Graduate Student Research Assistance (GSRA) program to support her work related to NASA's space exploration initiatives. Her long-term goal is to continue advancing high-impact research while fostering inclusive, mentorship-driven environments in engineering.

Aranya Aumit Paul is originally from Bangladesh. He earned his B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from the Military Institute of Science and Technology (MIST) in Dhaka, Bangladesh. He joined LSU in 2023 and completed his M.Sc. in Construction Management, where his research focused on robotic construction and developed a computational material design approach for designing sustainable, eco-friendly construction materials for large-scale concrete additive manufacturing. Currently, he is working on Atmospheric Plasma Spray (APS), studying coating parameters and hydrogen permeability in coatings deposited with plasma spraying.

His research interests lie in materials science and engineering, with a focus on leveraging advanced material design strategies for next-generation manufacturing aimed at creating sustainable and energy-efficient solutions for the built environment. Beyond his research, Aranya is a passionate music lover who enjoys singing and playing multiple musical instruments. Alongside music, he enjoys photography and traveling — especially to the mountains. Here’s to all the music lovers and material scientists out there — building, creating, and inspiring in their own ways.

William (Reece) Burgess is a mechanical engineering student with a May 2027 graduation date. In the powder metallurgy lab, he is developing new processing methods for creating sheets from ball mill powder. This is coupled with his efforts to expand our testing capabilities by developing a shear punch test unit.

Octavio Combellas-James is a freshman majoring in mechanical engineering. As a member of the powder metallurgy team, he contributes by designing and printing novel solutions for lab needs using 3D printing technology and assisting with documentation for safety.

Quinton Moore is a junior majoring in mechanical engineering. He contributes to research in the powder metallurgy lab on improving the sinterability of refractory metals such as tungsten by incorporating transition-metal activators like nickel.

Abigail (Abby) Peck is a senior in Mechanical Engineering at LSU. She works with the thermal spray group and is especially interested in how thermal spray coatings can be applied in aerospace applications, building on past experiences in Louisiana Space Grant and NASA projects. 
 

Katherine Allison is a mechanical engineering major with a projected May 2027 graduation date. She is a new member of the ceramics group.

Emma LeBlanc is a mechanical engineering major with a projected May 2028 graduation date. She is a new member of the ceramics group.

Buddy Glover is a mechanical engineering major with minors in German and mathematics. He is a new member of the ceramics group.

Alexandra Combellas-James is a mechanical engineering major in the powder metallurgy team.

Ian Murillo is a freshman in mechanical engineering and a new member in the thermal spray group.

Raveen Gamage is a freshman in mechanical engineering and a new member in the thermal spray group.

Vipul Jain
Postdoctoral Researcher 
July 2024 - July 2026

Angelina Jorgenson
Accelerated MSME
March 2024 - May 2026

Austin Knight
Aug 2024 - May 2026

Sam Murillo
Dec 2024 - May 2026

Reece Comeaux
Aug 2025 - May 2026

Landon Dorman
Jan 2023 - May 2025

Sam Esselstyn
May 2024 - May 2025

Tremayne Sweat
Jan 2025 - May 2025