Students and Postdocs

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Hunter Kantelis is a Graduate Research Assistant at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He is a first-generation college graduate from Florida. His research focus is on condensed matter physics under high pressure under the mentorship of Dr. Wenli Bi, Assistant Professor of Physics. Hunter is currently researching rare earth compounds using synchrotron techniques such as x ray diffraction, absorption, and time domain Mossbauer spectroscopy. He is interested in phase transitions and the dynamics of various bodies in the solid state. I have plans to start learning synthesis of high entropy materials.

Andrew Pope, a Graduate Research Assistant at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) under the guidance of Dr. Yogesh Vohra, takes part in research on condensed matter physics. His focus centers on Additively Manufactured High Entropy Alloys (AM HEAs) in extreme environments, using diamond anvil cells and the Paris-Edinburgh press at Argonne National Lab. His approach brings HEAs to high pressures and temperatures, unlocking new insights into their structural behavior during and after exposure to extreme conditions. Beyond this, he brings experience in optics, studying the molecular dynamics of superconductors through pump-probe ultrafast terahertz spectroscopy under magnetic fields. Looking ahead, Andrew is excited to further explore AM HEAs, driven by his curiosity for the intersections of materials science.

As a Materials Science and Engineering Master’s student, my focus lies in the realm of additive manufacturing and the intricate characterization of novel materials. Delving into this field, I aim to uncover innovative methods and materials that push the boundaries of current technological possibilities. My undergraduate background in Engineering Design and Materials Science and Engineering provided me with a solid foundation to explore the intricacies of material properties and design. I aspire to contribute to advancements in manufacturing techniques and material development, striving to bridge theoretical knowledge with practical applications in the ever-evolving landscape of materials science.

Anirudh is a PhD student at Stanford University, where he is an NSF research fellow. He received his BS in Physics with honors from Johns Hopkins University, where he worked with Prof. June Wicks to investigate phase transitions in planetary materials under extreme conditions. At Stanford, he is working with Prof. Leora Dresselhaus-Marais to uncover plasticity mechanisms at high strain rates. As part of CAMCSE, he is studying the deformation of high entropy alloys during shock compression and release.

Ethan Taylor is a graduate student at the University of Alabama at Birmingham specializing in the photophysics of thin films and nanomaterials of hybrid perovskites. By employing interferometric techniques like Hanbury-Brown Twiss and frequency-resolved autocorrelation he studies emission statistics and coherences of charge carriers in these materials. He also probes the dynamics of hybrid perovskites through femtosecond pump-probe absorption spectroscopy and time-resolved emission. He has developed machine learning codes to understand relationships between structure and photophysics. His role in CAMSCE is to apply these spectroscopic techniques to investigate dynamics of materials under laser shock conditions.

Matthew developed an interest in high pressure physics while working for the Munitions Directorate of the Air Force Research Laboratory. As a PhD student in the physics department at UAB, he has worked with his advisor Prof. Yogesh Vohra to study the properties of high entropy alloys and heavy lanthanides at high pressure using x-ray and neutron diffraction techniques.

Iremnur Ceylan, a graduate research assistant at the University of Massachusetts Amherst under the supervision of Assoc. Prof. Jae-Hwang Lee, is actively engaged in pioneering research concerning the high-strain rate deformation of materials. Her scholarly pursuits are centered on elucidating the mechanical performance of complex systems across a diverse range of extreme conditions, with the aim of gaining a fundamental understanding of far-from-equilibrium phenomena. Ceylan employs the Laser-Induced Projectile Impact Test—a cutting-edge micro-ballistic methodology in materials science and mechanics. Her methodology provides high-strain-rate mechanical stimuli accompanied by precise kinetic information, thus shedding light on multiscale mechanical and microstructural phenomena. As a part of CAMCSE, Ceylan is contributing to the profound understanding of complex materials and their mechanical responses under extreme conditions.