PI, graduate students, undergraduate researchers, and alumni.

Wenwu Xu

2017-present

Dr. Wenwu Xu received his Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from Beijing University of Technology (China) in 2011. He then pursued postdoctoral research at Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena (Germany) in 2012 and The University of Manchester (U.K.) in 2013-2015. In 2016, he joined the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of California, Merced as a postdoc and then as a lecturer. In August 2017, Dr. Xu joined the Department of Mechanical Engineering at San Diego State University as an Assistant Professor. In 2023, Dr. Xu became a tenured Associate Professor. He directs the Multiscale Modeling of Materials Lab, leading research that connects computational materials science, microstructure characterization, field-assisted processing, and nanoscale structure-property relationships.

Zeshan Ahmed

2026-present

Project: Tailoring grain boundaries by electro-nano-pulsing

Zeshan studies electro-nano-pulsing and grain-boundary engineering using atomistic molecular dynamics and computational materials workflows.

Jose Morales

2026-present

Project: Hydrogen embrittlement mechanisms using molecular dynamics and grain-boundary free-volume modeling

Jose studies atomistic modeling of hydrogen effects, grain-boundary structures, and hydrogen embrittlement mechanisms.

Carson Sutton

2026-present

Project: Thermal-elastic-processing experiments and modeling

Carson studies thermal-elastic-processing, in-situ SEM experiments, and related modeling.

James Burns

2025-present

Project: Grain-boundary modeling for FEA/CPFEM and TEP-related modeling

James develops bimodal and serrated grain-boundary models for finite-element, CPFEM, and MD/FEA-based thermal-elastic-processing research. He has presented a poster at S3 and an oral presentation at TMS.

Rebeca Contreras

2026-present

Project: Flash-sintering mechanisms and ceramic sample preparation

Rebeca studies flash-sintering mechanisms through sample preparation, heat treatment, measurements, and SEM-based experimental characterization.

Sherwin Navindaran

2020-present

Project: Nano-SCALPEL blood-clot removal research

Sherwin studies Nano-SCALPEL, nanoparticle spinning cutting, ablation, and lysis in plasma environmental liquid for blood clot removal. He was awarded the 2022 SDSU Master's Research Scholarship.

Maraon Bani

2026-present

Project: Thermal-elastic-processing modeling and JOLT preliminary experimental setup development

Maraon develops modeling and analysis for thermal-elastic-processing research in coordination with experimental studies. Maraon also contributes to the development and construction of the JOLT project's preliminary experimental setup.

Adam Monroe

2026-present

Project: JOLT preliminary experimental setup development

Adam works on the development and construction of the JOLT project's preliminary experimental setup.

Sky Soltero

2024-present

Project: Flash-sintering experiments of 8YSZ

Sky studies flash-sintering experiments of 8 mol% yttria-stabilized zirconia and related materials characterization. She attended TMS 2025 and ICME 2025 and is associated with a 2026 TMS flash-sintering presentation.

Marivel Alfaro

2024-present

Project: TEP experiments and in-situ SEM tensile testing

Marivel works on thermal-elastic-processing experiments, in-situ SEM tensile testing, and experimental characterization. She attended TMS 2025 and ICME 2025 and is associated with a 2026 TMS presentation on TEP experiments.

Theodore Norris

2025-present

Project: Flash-sintering mechanisms and experiments

Theodore studies flash-sintering mechanisms through experiments and materials characterization.

Adrian Contreras

2026-present

Project: TEP experiments and characterization

Adrian works on thermal-elastic-processing experiments and characterization and is listed through the MESA Summer Undergraduate Research Academy.

Zachary McLaughlin

2025-present

Project: Electro-nano-pulsing technology

Zachary works on electro-nano-pulsing technology and related experiments.

Henry Bahini

2026-present

Project: LLM-assisted modeling and validation for thermal-elastic processing

Henry works with James Burns on LLM-assisted modeling and validation workflows for thermal-elastic-processing research.

Sean O'Grady

2026-present

Project: Electro-nano-pulsing technology

Sean works on electro-nano-pulsing technology as an undergraduate researcher and ME499 student.

Ethan Pudasaini

2026-present

Project: Electro-nano-pulsing and thermal-elastic-processing experiments

Ethan works on electro-nano-pulsing and thermal-elastic-processing experiments, including sample preparation and experimental characterization.

Nicolas Mosqueda

2026-present

Project: Electro-nano-pulsing technology

Nicolas works on electro-nano-pulsing technology as an undergraduate researcher and ME499 student.

Anders Torgerson

2026-present

Project: Electro-nano-pulsing experiments with copper wires

Anders works on electro-nano-pulsing experiments with copper wires and supports experimental development and documentation.

Isaiah Clemons

2026

Project: TEP experiments and characterization of Cu

Isaiah works on thermal-elastic-processing experiments and characterization of copper as a 2026 MESA Summer Undergraduate Research Academy intern.

Md. Shahrier Hasan

Graduated 2024

Project: Multiscale modeling and experimental investigations of mechanical deformation in nanocomposites

Current position: Postdoctoral Scholar, University of California, Los Angeles (as of 2026)

Shahrier worked on multiscale modeling and experimental investigations of mechanical deformation in nanocomposites. His graduate work included first-author and co-author journal papers and conference proceedings, departmental and senate qualifying exam milestones, the LBNL/SHI Sustainable Research Pathways summer internship, and an SDSU UGF JDP scholarship.

Colin Delaney

Graduated 2025

Project: In-situ SEM study of flash-sintering mechanisms of ionic ceramics

Current position: Engineering role, General Atomics (as of 2026)

Colin studied in-situ SEM evidence for flash-sintering mechanisms in ionic ceramics. His graduate work included a co-authored TMS 2024 conference proceeding, a SoCal 2023 oral presentation at USC, and a TMS 2025 oral presentation on flash sintering.

Christopher Foronda

Graduated 2024

Project: Thermal-elastic-processing for tailoring metal grain-boundary morphologies

Current position: Quality Assurance Test Engineer II, NRS (as of 2026)

Christopher studied thermal-elastic-processing for tailoring metal grain-boundary morphologies and co-authored a refereed TMS 2024 conference proceeding.

Junail Paule

Graduated 2024

Project: Machine-learning-based potential development for Ni and Cr metals

Current position: M.S. alumnus

Junail worked on machine-learning-based potential development for nickel and chromium metals.

Gregory Berkeley

Graduated 2024

Project: Machine-learning-based multiscale modeling for metal-matrix nanocomposites

Current position: M.S. alumnus

Gregory worked on machine-learning-based multiscale modeling development for metal-matrix nanocomposites. He was awarded the SDSU RSCA student research fund in Spring 2021.

Kyrel Polifrone

Graduated 2023

Project: Flash-sintering mechanisms of ionic ceramics

Current position: M.S. alumnus

Kyrel studied flash-sintering mechanisms of ionic ceramics using atomistic modeling and experimental evidence. He received SDSU student research assistantship support in 2022, a 2023 SHI SRP summer internship, and authored or co-authored journal papers and a refereed conference proceeding.

Gabriel Portillo Pauna

Graduated 2022

Project: 3D polycrystalline microstructure development for FEA modeling

Current position: Mechanical Design Engineer, General Atomics (as of 2026)

Gabriel further developed three-dimensional polycrystalline microstructures with specified grain-boundary components for finite-element analysis modeling.

Michele Borba Pavao

Graduated 2022

Project: Local grain-boundary engineering by thermal elastic processing

Current position: M.S. alumna

Michele worked on local grain-boundary engineering by thermal elastic processing.

Katie Whitmore

Graduated 2021

Project: 3D polycrystalline microstructure development for mesoscale modeling

Current position: Mechanical and Thermal Engineer, Qualcomm (as of 2026)

Katie developed three-dimensional polycrystalline microstructures with specified grain-boundary components for mesoscale modeling.

Cameron Aires

Graduated 2020

Project: In-situ optical microscopy of metal deformation using an in-house micro-tensile tester

Current position: Design Engineer (as of 2026)

Cameron worked on in-situ optical microscopy of metal deformation using an in-house-designed micro-tensile tester.

Rachell Lee

Graduated 2019

Project: Finite-element modeling of Joule heating in 2D bimodal microstructured metals

Current position: Stress Analyst, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (as of 2026)

Rachell modeled Joule heating in two-dimensional bimodal microstructured metals using finite-element analysis. She co-authored two peer-reviewed journal papers.

Diego Cea

2026

Project: TEP experiments and characterization of Cu

Diego completed thermal-elastic-processing experiments and characterization of copper as a 2026 MESA Summer Undergraduate Research Academy intern.

Ethan Morrison

Graduated 2025

Project: Metal 3D printing technology development via induction heating

Current position: Project Engineer 1, Clark Pacific (as of 2026)

Ethan worked on metal 3D printing technology development via induction heating and attended TMS 2025.

Jadyn Yamashita

2025

Project: Electro-nano-pulsing technology

Current position: B.S./M.S. Mechanical Engineering student, San Diego State University (as of 2026)

Jadyn previously worked on electro-nano-pulsing technology as an undergraduate researcher.

Tyler De Silva

2024-2025

Project: Selective induction sintering 3D-printing method development

Current position: Mechanical Engineering graduate (as of 2026)

Tyler worked on selective induction sintering 3D-printing method development, including ME499 work in 2025.

Jakob Bravo-Calderon

2024-2025

Project: ENP processing and sintering experiments

Current position: Undergraduate alumnus

Jakob worked on electro-nano-pulsing processing and sintering experiments, including ME499 work in 2025.

Simhal Maharaj

2024-2025

Project: In-situ SEM imaging of metal deformation

Current position: Field Service Engineer, Solar Turbines (as of 2026)

Simhal worked on in-situ SEM imaging of metal deformation processes.

William Fischer

2024-2025

Project: In-situ tensile tester development and SEM imaging of metal deformation

Current position: Undergraduate alumnus

William worked on in-situ tensile-tester development and in-situ SEM imaging of metal deformation.

Olivia Towers

2025

Project: FEA modeling of bi-modal polycrystalline metal

Current position: Incoming Scheduler I / EIT, Mortenson (as of 2026)

Olivia worked on finite-element modeling of bi-modal polycrystalline metal.

Jorge Romo

2025

Project: Thermal-elastic-processing experiments

Current position: Undergraduate alumnus

Jorge worked on thermal-elastic-processing experiments.

Wade Anderson

2024

Project: Sample preparation for ENP processing of aluminum metal

Current position: Fire Protection Engineer and Code Consultant / EIT (as of 2026)

Wade worked on sample preparation for electro-nano-pulsing processing of aluminum metal.

Gio Michale Conversano

2024

Project: ENP processing and sintering

Current position: M.S. Aerospace Engineering student, Cal Poly Pomona (as of 2026)

Gio worked on electro-nano-pulsing processing and sintering.

Allen Ortiz

2024

Project: In-situ SEM tensile tester

Current position: Aerospace Engineering student, University of Southern California (as of 2026)

Allen worked on the in-situ SEM tensile tester.

Brandon Dimmick

2022-2023

Project: Thermal-elastic processing for localized grain-boundary engineering

Current position: Mechanical Engineering Student / Prototyping Engineer (as of 2026)

Brandon worked on thermal-elastic processing for localized grain-boundary engineering.

Matthew Simon

2022-2023

Project: Thermal-elastic processing for localized grain-boundary engineering

Current position: Manufacturing Engineer, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (as of 2026)

Matthew worked on thermal-elastic processing for localized grain-boundary engineering.

Lana Ayyash

2022-2023

Project: Experimental measurement of grain-boundary electrical resistance

Current position: Prototyping Engineer Intern, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (as of 2026)

Lana worked on experimental measurement of grain-boundary electrical resistance in polycrystalline metals, including ME499 work measuring grain-boundary electrical resistivity of aluminum.

Ethan Anderson

2022-2023

Project: Experimental measurement of grain-boundary electrical resistance

Current position: R&D Product Design Engineer, Callaway Golf (as of 2026)

Ethan worked on experimental measurement of grain-boundary electrical resistance in polycrystalline metals.

Edgar Diaz

2021-2023

Project: Electro-nano-pulser system assembly and testing

Current position: SDSU IAC Center lead student, San Diego State University Industrial Assessment Center (as of 2026)

Edgar worked on assembly and testing of the electro-nano-pulser system for localized grain-boundary engineering.

Sabrina Abdelhamed

2023

Project: In-situ SEM of flash sintering of 8YSZ

Current position: Systems Engineer, Northrop Grumman (as of 2026)

Sabrina worked on in-situ SEM study of flash sintering of 8 mol% yttria-stabilized zirconia.

Madison Darnauer

2023

Project: ReaxFF modeling of flash sintering of a 3-particle ZrO2 model

Current position: Aerospace Engineer, NAVAIR (as of 2026)

Madison worked on ReaxFF modeling of flash sintering in a three-particle zirconia model.

Juan Roman

2023

Project: Finite-element exploration of a metal 3D-printing technology

Current position: Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering student; CNC/CMM Machinist student (as of 2026)

Juan worked on finite-element exploration of a metal 3D-printing technology.

Katie Hardwicke

2023

Project: Finite-element exploration of a metal 3D-printing technology

Current position: Process Improvement Engineer, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (as of 2026)

Katie worked on finite-element exploration of a metal 3D-printing technology.

Madison Rogers

2023

Project: Measuring grain-boundary electrical resistivity of aluminum metal

Current position: Systems Engineer, Raytheon (as of 2026)

Madison worked on measuring grain-boundary electrical resistivity of aluminum metal.

Pablo Hinojosa Amaya

2023

Project: Finite-element modeling for a bimodal grain-boundary serration model

Current position: Bioengineering student, San Diego State University (as of 2026)

Pablo worked on finite-element modeling for a bimodal grain-boundary serration model.

Billal Jamshady

2023

Project: Bimodal grain-boundary serration model creation

Current position: Sales / mentorship role, Glorifying Christ (as of 2026)

Billal created a bimodal grain-boundary serration model.

James Murray

2019-2021

Project: Ceramic 3D-printing technique using computer-aided modeling

Current position: Undergraduate alumnus

James worked on a novel ceramic 3D-printing technique using computer-aided modeling and virtual research workflows. He received SDSU Undergraduate Summer Research Program, SDSU RSCA student research fund, and LBNL/SHI Sustainable Research Pathways internship support.

Derek Uribe

2021

Project: FEA modeling of metal-matrix nanocomposites

Current position: Computer Science Graduate (as of 2026)

Derek worked on finite-element modeling of metal-matrix nanocomposites and received SDSU RSCA student research fund support in Spring 2021.

Xavier Lovato

2019-2020

Project: Rotating magnetic-field generator integrated with Spero microscope

Current position: Manufacturing Engineer, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (as of 2026)

Xavier worked on a rotating magnetic-field generator integrated with a Spero microscope and received SDSU student research assistantship support in Fall 2019.

Sanam Nagvekar

2019-2020

Project: In-situ imaging apparatus for flash-sintering ceramics

Current position: Mechanical Engineer, Intuitive Surgical (as of 2026)

Sanam worked on an in-situ imaging apparatus for studying flash-sintering processes of ceramics and received SDSU student research assistantship support in Spring 2020.

Amaury Reed

2019-2020

Project: In-situ imaging apparatus for flash-sintering ceramics

Current position: GNC Engineer, Lockheed Martin (as of 2026)

Amaury worked on an in-situ imaging apparatus for studying flash-sintering processes of ceramics and received SDSU student research assistantship support in Spring 2020.

Garrett Lee

2019-2020

Project: Molecular dynamics of flash sintering of YSZ

Current position: Undergraduate alumnus

Garrett worked on molecular dynamics of flash sintering of yttria-stabilized zirconia.

Austin Arnold

2019-2020

Project: Molecular dynamics of flash sintering of YSZ

Current position: Mathematics Teacher, Health Sciences High School and Middle School (as of 2026)

Austin worked on molecular dynamics of flash sintering of yttria-stabilized zirconia.

Jason Agtina

2020

Project: Tensile testing of aluminum metal using a micro-tensile tester

Current position: Engineering role, General Atomics (as of 2026)

Jason worked on tensile testing of aluminum metal using a micro-tensile tester.

Nathan Fosgett

2020

Project: Sample preparation of aluminum metal for tensile testing

Current position: Undergraduate alumnus

Nathan worked on sample preparation of aluminum metal for tensile testing.

Roselynn Conrady

2020

Project: Virtual-reality development of automatic switching functions

Current position: Systems Engineer, Northrop Grumman (as of 2026)

Roselynn worked on virtual-reality development of automatic switching functions.

Julia Gurfinkel

2020

Project: Sample design and prototyping for aluminum micro-tensile testing

Current position: Test Engineer, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (as of 2026)

Julia worked on sample design and prototyping of aluminum metal for micro-tensile testing.

Claire Elizabeth

2020

Project: Synthetic blood-clot fabrication

Current position: Undergraduate alumna

Claire worked on synthetic blood-clot fabrication.

Theresa Escolano

2020

Project: Rotating magnetic-field device development

Current position: Undergraduate alumna

Theresa worked on rotating magnetic-field device development.

Ken Ramirez

2017-2019

Project: MD simulations of fatigue deformation in bimodal microstructure metals

Current position: Engineering role, Solar Turbines (as of 2026)

Ken worked on molecular dynamics simulations of fatigue deformation in bimodal microstructure metals. He was second author on one peer-reviewed journal paper and received SDSU Undergraduate Summer Research Program support in 2018.

Sarah Gomez

2017-2019

Project: Molecular dynamics simulations of nanocrystalline metals

Current position: NASA civil servant, Launch Services Program, Vandenberg Space Force Base (as of 2026)

Sarah worked on molecular dynamics simulations of nanocrystalline metals and co-authored Prof. Xu's 2019 bimodal microstructure journal paper.

Cole Waterhouse

2019

Project: Versatile mechanical testing device development assisted by CAD and modeling

Current position: Test Engineer, L3Harris Technologies (as of 2026)

Cole received SDSU SURP support to develop a versatile mechanical testing device for research applications assisted by CAD and modeling.