People

B. Engineering; Tohoku University (2014)

M. Engineering; Tohoku University (2016)

Ph.D. Engineering in Materials Science; Tohoku University (2019)

Takahito is from Toyama, Japan. He received his doctor degree of engineering in Materials Science from Tohoku University in 2019. After working as a postdoctoral researcher at the Corrosion Analysis Group for Specific Environment, at Japan Atomic Energy Agency, he has been a researcher at  Research Group for Corrosion Resistant Material, at Japan Atomic Energy Agency since 2022. His main research themes are: localized corrosion mechanisms and corrosion prevention methods for stainless steel, and effects of irradiation on corrosion of steels. He is currently a visiting researcher in Kelly’s group, where he is studying localized corrosion on aluminum alloys. In his free time, he spends time with his family and enjoys cycling.

B.Tech. Metallurgical Engineering; National Institute of Technology Raipur (India), 2014

M.Tech. Materials Science and Engineering; Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (India), 2016

Ph.D. Materials Science and Engineering; Monash University (Australia), 2022

Sanjay is from Raipur, India. He obtained his B.Tech in Metallurgical Engineering from NIT Raipur (India) in 2014, and M.Tech in Materials Science and Engineering From IIT Kanpur (India) in 2016. He worked with TATA Steel India Ltd. as a Researcher, investigating localized corrosion of the hot rolled steel plates and galvanized steel rebars. He obtained his Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from Monash University (Australia) in 2022, where he studied the evolution of passivity in Cr and Cr-containing alloys including stainless steel and multi-principal element alloys. He is currently a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Kelly’s group, where he is studying localized corrosion characteristics of Al-alloys used in aerospace and stainless-steel dry storage containers, using finite element modeling and in-situ TEM. In his free time, Sanjay enjoys cooking and watching sci-fi movies and TV shows. 

B.S. Materials Science and Engineering (with certificate in metallurgy); University of Florida, 2023

Savannah is from Auburndale, FL. She received her B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering with a certificate in Metallurgy from the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL. While there, Savannah was a part of Phi Sigma Rho, Machens First Opportunity Scholars, and participated in a study abroad program to Madrid, Spain. During her undergraduate career, Savannah conducted research focusing on high entropy memory shape alloy development and automation of infrared thermography non-destructive testing image analysis for welds. Savannah presented her undergraduate research at the TMS 2022 conference, where she won first place in the Undergraduate Materials Processing & Manufacturing Division. She also has experience in industry, working on the processing of stainless steels at Tesla.  Savannah's current project focuses on studying the corrosion-fatigue properties of Al-alloys. Savannah likes to spend her free time cooking, rock climbing, and embroidering.

Savannah's research currently focuses on utilizing modeling techniques to predict cyclic corrosion in accelerated atmospheric corrosion chambers. Her work involves the application of finite element method (FEM) modeling and analytical modeling approaches. 

B.S. Chemistry; University of New Mexico, 2022

Timothy was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico where he earned his BS degree in Chemistry with a Distributed minor at the University of New Mexico. During his undergrad, Timothy worked as a year-round research and development student intern at Sandia National Labs. His research focused on studying corrosion problems for the spent nuclear waste program.  Outside of school and research, Timothy enjoys going to the gym, participating in sports, hanging out with friends, and playing video games.

With the rise of additive manufacturing (AM) around the world, Timothy’s work investigates the influence of AM processes and processing conditions on the microstructure and corrosion behavior of various materials such as stainless steels and copper nickel alloys. This work couples the use of various electrochemical and characterization techniques to continue to improve the AM processes and better understand the use of AM in place of traditional manufacturing processes.

B.S. Chemical Engineering; California State Polytechnic University Pomona, 2021

Armando was born and raised in Albania and later moved to United States where he obtained a BS degree in Chemical Engineering with a minor in Materials Science and Engineering. During his undergraduate time, Armando conducted research on the corrosion behavior of novel metallic alloys for biomedical applications. His area of research later expanded to investigating and comparing the corrosion behavior of various AM alloys for biomedical and marine environments. Armando’s free time is spent between creating and exploring new dishes and learning languages.

Armando's research investigates pitting corrosion of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) canisters under complex aqueous environmental conditions. It employs cutting-edge electrochemical methods, combining modeling and experimental techniques, to understand the intricacies in kinetic parameters of pit propagation in various salt compositions, temperatures, and humidity levels. The goal is to develop and verify a comprehensive and practical predictive model for maximum pit sizes and shapes that can form under specified environmental conditions. 

B.S. Chemistry and Engineering Physics; Randolph-Macon College, 2021

Victor is from Richmond, VA. He received his B.S. in Chemistry and Engineering Physics with a minor in Physics from Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, VA where he participated on the R-MC Men’s Swim Team for NCAA Division III. During his undergraduate career, Victor performed research in the Chemistry department that focused on the synthesis of nickel phosphide nanoparticles for electrocatalysis of the hydrogen evolution reaction. Victor also has experience as a laboratory teaching assistant for inorganic chemistry at R-MC and as an engineering sciences intern for Afton Chemical Corporation. In his free time, Victor likes to play board games, read a variety of books, rock climb, and spend time with his friends and family.

Finley is a rising third year from Charlottesville, VA who is majoring in Materials Science and Engineering at UVA. In her free time, she enjoys running, reading, and making jewelry. In collaboration with Timothy Montoya, Finley works on the corrosion behavior of AM copper nickel. Her work involves coupling electrochemical tests with optical and scanning electron microscopy to link corrosion behavior with microstructure.