Material Advantage Student Group

The Material Advantage chapter at UVA promotes and enriches the Materials Science & Engineering program at the University by fostering a community of future industry leaders. There are numerous facets of MA at UVA including professional development opportunities, academic support, and social events. Research is a large component of the Materials Science & Engineering experience, and becoming a member of MA encourages and assists members to get involved.
The MA Executive Board 2024-2025

MATERIAL ADVANTAGE (MA) Chapters give you a much-needed edge in the global job market and the knowledge, experience and networking you need to begin your career successfully. You’ll find Material Advantage Chapters at more than 75 top schools of materials science and engineering throughout the world. Through the Material Advantage Program, you can learn and sharpen the skills you need to become a successful engineering professional and a future leader of your society.” Material Advantage benefits include networking, financial support including access to scholarships, chapter travel grants for conferences, leadership development, ACerS-AIST-ASM-TMS updates, awards and recognition.

Meet the 2024-2025 MA Executive Board:

Lara Ojha - Chair, Hometown: Bethesda, MD
Materials Science & Engineering Major, Business Minor, Year: 4th
Research Field: Corrosion & Environmentally Assisted Cracking - Burns Lab UVA

Joey Giordano - Vice Chair, Hometown: Bethesda, MD
MSE Major, Politics and Physics Minors, Year: 3rd
Research Field: Semiconductors - McDonnell Lab

Christopher Recupero - Secretary, Hometown: North Easton, MA
MSE and Aerospace Engineering Double Major; Year: 4th
Research Field: Oxidation of materials traveling in hypersonic environments - Opila Group

Alice Pandaleon - Treasurer, Hometown: Millbrook, NY
Materials Science and Engineering Major, Applied Math Minor, Year: 4th
Research Field: Localized Corrosion in Aluminum for Aerospace Applications - Kelly Group

Astrid Kaczmarzewski - External Relations, Hometown: Strasburg, VA
Materials Science & Engineering Major, Year: 2nd
Research Field: Electronics - BEAM Lab at UVA
 

Professional Development:

Host research fairs
Steel mill and other factory tours
NASA facility tours
Lecturer and speaker series
 

Academics:

Study groups
Resources for classes and course material
Information about scholarship opportunities
Research support
 

Social:

Semi-formal
Carter’s Mountain Sunset Series
Game nights
Lunches 

MA Touring Steel PlantDepartment Picnic