Lab Members

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.

Vipul Jain is an Indian national. He joined Dr. Marvel's research group in July 2024 after earning his PhD from the Indian Institute of Technology Indore, India. He is a metallurgist and materials scientist with expertise and a goal of advancing the development of microstructure and crystallographic texture, grain boundaries, and the mechanical behavior of metals. He is also interested in understanding grain growth phenomena in ceramics.

He is skilled in various electron microscopy and diffraction techniques, including SEM, EBSD, EDS, and XRD. In addition to experimental characterization, he has experience in computational work such as thermodynamic predictions, finite element methods, and crystal plasticity-based simulations. He aims to further expand his research capabilities in high-temperature metals, powder metallurgy, and atomic-scale resolving electron microscopy.

Outside of academics and his research career, he enjoys philosophy in general. He is a bookworm, a guitarist in private, and a basketball player in his dreams.

Fahima Shaon is to join the group in April of 2025. We look forward to welcoming her into our team!

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! 

Angelina Jorgenson is a mechanical engineering major from New Orleans in the final year of her undergraduate degree and the first year of her accelerated master's. She is currently working on the Complex Concentrated Alloys (CCAs) for Friction Stir Powder Additive Manufacturing (FSPAM) project within which she has been responsible for creation of the powders and characterization of the as-milled and heat treated samples using XRD and microhardness testing.

Her master's thesis explores the use of mechanical energy inputs to drive chemical reactions with a focus on reaction mechanisms and kinetics. She aims to complete her master's degree by May 2026, and she hopes to apply her passion for materials science in an industry career.

Emma McCarthy is a senior mechanical engineering student with a minor in materials science. She is currently researching Complex Concentrated Alloys (CCAs) for Friction Stir Powder Additive Manufacturing (FSPAM), focusing on enhancing alloy design through microstructural analysis using TEM and SEM. Emma has extensive mentorship experience, including training students in advanced microscopy techniques and serving as a teaching assistant. Emma will be pursuing a PhD in mechanical engineering at LSU.
 

Landon Dorman is an undergraduate Mechanical Engineering junior from Lafayette, Louisiana who worked under Dr. Marvel from Spring 2023 to Spring 2025. His work revolved around APS of tungsten carbide, focusing on optimization of hardness, adhesion strength, and porosity. He traveled to Long Island, New York to learn more about safety and maintenance of the lab’s APS system in 2023. He additionally attended CISIA conferences in 2023 and 2024 to give poster presentations to industry representatives. 

Samantha Esselstyn is a junior mechanical engineering student with a minor in materials science from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Her work focuses on grain boundary complexion transitions. Her experimental work involves ball milling, heat treatments, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. Her simulations investigate the influence of complexion transitions on abnormal grain growth and are performed through LSU’s High Performance Computing Center. She is proud to be a part of a great research team!
 

Samantha Murrillo is originally from Kenner, Louisiana, and is majoring in mechanical engineering with a minor in materials science. In this lab, she focuses on atmospheric plasma spray, helping to refine and test new methods for more efficient outcomes. Her long-term goal is to explore how materials science can drive innovations in aerospace engineering. She is excited to be part of this team and looks forward to developing her skills and knowledge through collaborative research.

Austin Knight was born and raised in Slidell, Louisiana. He began attending LSU in August 2021 and will be graduating in May 2026. He is studying Mechanical Engineering. He has a special interest in material science. Material science has had a massive impact on all industries, however there is so much more that can be done for Oil & Gas. The research work performed for Dr. Marvel has potential for improving mechanical integrity and longevity of machinery and equipment across all industries.

Tremayne Sweat is a junior majoring in Mechanical Engineering, with a passion for materials science, manufacturing processes, and engineering innovation. His background includes leadership roles in NSBE, the Black Men’s Leadership Initiative, and as a Residential Assistant, where he has developed strong mentorship and interpersonal skills.  His long-term goal is to apply his growing expertise to push the boundaries of engineering technology and innovation while discovering where his passion lies within the field.

Quinton Moore is a junior majoring in Mechanical Engineering. He chose this discipline because he is passionate about machines and the creative ways in which they are integrated to enhance our lives. His primary interests include manufacturing, process engineering, and materials science, as these fields are ubiquitous and work together to bring designs to life in a poetic manner. He is excited to deepen his knowledge in these areas as he continues his studies, and he looks forward to applying his passion and understanding to tackle real-world engineering challenges.