People

Ph.D. Candidate, B.S. Civil Engineering, University of Virginia

Carly graduated in 2018 with a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Virginia and joined the Burns group in June of 2018. She decided to pursue an PhD in Materials Science due to her undergraduate research into pseudowollastonite-based cement and her work with the VTRC into materials for civil engineering applications. Her project is on understanding environmental cracking in AA7050-T7451 induced by galvanic corrosion. In her free time she enjoys surfing, hiking, enjoying music, and hanging out with friends.

Ph.D. Candidate, B.S. Materials Science & Engineering, University of Maryland

Alex graduated in 2019 with a B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Maryland and joined the Burns Research Group in July 2019.  Alex is interested in failure analysis and wanted to study fracture mechanics in graduate school. His current research is focused on understanding mechanisms of high temperature fatigue in Nickel-based superalloys used in jet engine components. Outside the lab, Alex enjoys blacksmithing using his homemade forge, playing soccer, and cooking. 

Ph.D. Candidate, B.S. Material Science & Engineering, Lehigh University

Michael graduated from Lehigh in 2017 with a B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering and started his career working as a Materials Research Engineer at Metamagnetics working to develop magnetic materials for novel radio frequency device applications. His undergraduate degree had a heavy focus on metallurgy and mechanics and the interest in materials research. Michael's work at Metamagnetics led him to join the Burns Group in August 2019. His research focuses on the environmental cracking of additively manufactured 316L stainless steel. Outside of the lab Michael plays rugby (he's the president of his rugby club) and skis as much as the weather and his knees permit. Michael also enjoys swimming, playing video games, reading, and hanging out with friends.

Ph.D. Candidate, B.S. Materials Science & Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology

Sarah graduated with a bachelor's degree in Materials Science and Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology and joined the Burns group in August of 2020. She was briefly at Procter and Gamble in their R&D department where she worked on Tide and Downy products. Due to her love for research and experimental work in metallurgy as an undergrad, it was natural for her to pursue a PhD. Within the Burns group, Sarah is researching environmental cracking in stainless steel nuclear waste canisters for use in risk management and lifetime predictions. When not researching you can find Sarah enjoying her new crossfit gym, exploring all the awesome hikes around Charlottesville and getting to know the area's wineries!

Ph.D. Candidate, M.S. Materials Science and Engineering, University of Virginia, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, George Mason University

Mohammed graduated in 2019 with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from George Mason University. His passion to learn encouraged him to keep going with higher education, so he joined the Agnew group in 2019 at University of Virginia and earned his M.S. in Materials Science and Engineering in 2022. He decided to join the Burns group afterwards to pursue a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering due to his interest in research related to fatigue and fracture. His current research project is on extending the fatigue life of Al-Mg and Mg-Al alloys through physics-based design and control of morphogenic instabilities during key stages of corrosion damage evolution. During his leisure time, he enjoys reading, swimming, cooking, sewing, handiwork, and hiking.

Ph.D. Candidate, B.S. Civil Engineering, Ohio Northern University

Javon graduated in 2020 with a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Ohio Northern University where he also played varsity lacrosse and upon graduating, started working at EN Engineering as a Sr. Design Engineer. At EN Engineering he designed gas lines for the northern Virginia area working closely with Washington Gas, a public utility holding company. Javon joined the Burns group in 2022 to pursue a PhD in Materials Science and Engineering with hopes of becoming an expert in failure analysis and effective failure resistant design. He is researching the influence of bulk slip morphology on the Hydrogen Environment-Assisted Cracking (HEAC) behavior of a precipitate hardened Nickel-Copper alloy. In his free time, Javon enjoys engaging in lacrosse, pick-up basketball, hiking/biking, and rocket league. 

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Lara is a 2nd year Jefferson & Rodman Scholar majoring in Materials Science & Engineering at UVA. She joined the Burns group as a first year in September of 2021, and is currently working on a project studying stress corrosion cracking susceptibility of a Russian aluminum alloy used on the International Space Station. Outside of classes and work, Lara enjoys flying gliders, cooking, hiking, and reading murder mysteries.

Post Masters Researcher, B.S. in MSE, Ohio State University and M.S. in MSE, University of Virginia

Gabby graduated from The Ohio State University (OSU) with a B.S in Materials Science and Engineering in May 2019. She went on to work in an environmentally assisted cracking (EAC) lab at OSU after graduating. Gabby joined the Burns Group in 2022 to pursue a Master of Engineering. She graduated with a Masters of Science in May 2024. Her thesis research involved determining stress corrosion cracking susceptibility of an aluminum alloy used on the International Space Station. When she isn't working, Gabby enjoys being outside, hanging out with friends, and playing billiards.