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

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 MA Executive Board:


Morgan Small - Chair, Hometown:  Williamsburg, VA
Major: Materials Science and Engineering, Year: 4th
Research Field: High Temperature Ceramics (UVA)  and Carbon-Carbon Matrix Composites (NASA)
 

Lara Ojha - Vice-Chair, Hometown: Bethesda, MD
Materials Science & Engineering Major, Business & History Minors, Year: 3rd
Research Field: Corrosion - Burns Lab UVA, Hydrogen Embrittlement of AM Stainless Steels - Imperial College London
 

Alice Pandaleon - Treasurer, Hometown: Millbrook, NY
Major: Materials Science and Engineering, Year: 3rd
Research Field: Corrosion in Aluminum for Aerospace Applications - Kelly Group, Corrosion in thermomechanically processed HEAs (NCSU)
 

Joey Giordano  - Secretary, Hometown: Bethesda, MD
Major: MSE and physics with politics minor, Year: 2nd
Research Field: molten salt corrosion - Scully lab
 

Christopher Recupero - External Relations, Hometown: North Easton, MA
Major: MSE & Aerospace; Year: 3rd
Research Field: Oxidation of materials traveling in hypersonic environments- Opila Group
Our MA chapter offers many activities including:

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