Lab Members

Principal Investigator
	Dr. Sid Pathak Assistant Professor, Materials Science and Engineering Department of Materials Science and Engineering 2220BP Hoover Hall 528 Bissell Road Ames, IA 50011-1096 pathak@iastate.edu Phone: 515-294-9280

Postdoctoral Fellow
	Kevin Jacob jkevin@iastate.edu I am a Postdoctoral researcher at Iowa State University working along with Dr. Sid Pathak. I completed my PhD from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay under the guidance of Prof. Nagamani Jaya Balila in the Micro Mechanics of Materials lab. During my PhD I worked on the deformation as well as precipitation behaviour of severe plastically deformed Maraging steels. I have used the transmission electron microscope and the atom probe tomography tools to characterize the effect of deformation on the nanometre sized precipitates. Understanding strain localization and planar slip behaviour in Maraging steels through digital image correlation was another aspect into which I obtained proficiency over the course of my PhD. Stress localizations on the differently shaped precipitates observed were also modelled using finite element simulations. For my Postdoctoral research period at ISU, I intend to work more extensively on the nano scale deformation behaviour that Dr. Sid and his group are extensively skilled in, along with bringing to the table the nano level characterization tools that I am more adept with to get a better picture of the deformation behaviour. Apart from research, I love to trek and travel along with playing any sort of sports in which I could get myself involved.
	Zongyang Lyu zlyu@iastate.edu I got my PhD from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 2023 under the guidance of Prof. Peter Liaw and Prof. Yanfei Gao. During my PhD, I worked on two NSF projects, i.e, “Fundamental Study of Low-Cycle-Fatigue Behavior of High-Entropy Alloys” and “In situ Diffraction and Cohesive-Zone Studies of the Fatigue-Crack-Growth Behavior in Mg Alloys”. In situ diffraction techniques are used to investigate the phase transformations and deformation mechanisms in these two projects. For the in situ diffraction experiments, we used the cutting-edge facilities at VULCAN, Spallation Neutron Source (SNS), Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and 11-ID-C, Advanced Photon Source (APS), Argonne National Laboratory (ANL). For my postdoc research in Prof. Sid Pathak’s group at ISU, I am working on a Department of Energy (DOE) funded project, “Direct Production of ODS Ferritic Alloys for Long-life Reactor Fuel Bundles”. I will work closely with the Ames National Laboratory and the Center for Integrated Nanotechnology (CINT) at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). Apart from research, I like doing sports and traveling to national parks.
Graduate Students Materials Science and Engineering
	Manish Kumar manishk@iastate.edu themanishghorela882@gmail.com I am a PhD student in Materials Science and Engineering at Iowa State University, Ames. I developed interest in research during an internship at the Indian Institute of Technology(IIT), Madras. After that, I was awarded a summer research fellowship by the Indian Academic of Science, India. My research during 3rd year of undergrad study was focused on “Development of Ceramic Matrix Composite Coating on Metal Substrate by lases cladding”. In Final Year, I worked on the piezoelectric performance of Electrospun Poly(Vinylidene Fluoride) non-wovens. Currently, I am pursuing my PhD under the guidance of Dr. Sid Pathak. My research is focused on the local structure-property relationships of solders in Terrestrial vs. Microgravity environments. Apart from my research, I like to go hiking, long-distance biking, and playing cricket & badminton. I spend my free time reading books and watching sci-fi videos.
	Skye Supakul ssupakul@iastate.edu I am a Material Science and Engineering graduate from the University of Nevada, Reno with a nuclear materials emphasis and a minor in batteries and energy storage technologies. Prior to graduating, I was conducting research with the Chemistry Department on carbon dioxide fuel cell catalysts on carbon substrates for enhanced product selectivity. My interests include performing research on new and advanced materials for the storage and containment of energy systems. I am pursuing a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering under the guidance of Dr. Pathak. Apart from my studies and research, I enjoy hiking, cooking, drawing portraits, and going to various coffee shops. I like to volunteer at the local Thai temple and help my community to promote diversity and education. I find pleasure in trying various new cuisines, and I hope that in the future, I may be able to travel around the world to experience their culture and food.
	Olajesu Olanrewaju oolajesu@iastate.edu I am a Metallurgical and Materials Engineering graduate from the Federal University of Technology, Akure. My undergraduate thesis was on the effect of Silver Nanoparticles on the corrosion behavior of selected steels in an acidic environment. I was awarded the most outstanding student of my departmental graduating class. After graduation, I picked up a research assistantship position at Advanced Materials and Electrochemical Research Group. I am currently running a Ph.D. program under the tutelage of Dr. Sid Pathak. My research interest is in the experimental plan of micro-mechanical testing on tantalum single and poly-crystals. In my leisure time, I watch anime, visit friends, and go shopping. I also attend prayer meetings and bible study meetings. I love graphic design, tourism, and philosophy. As an Otaku, my dream is to one day visit Japan and experience the culture.
	Niraj Pramod Atale npatale@iastate.edu I am a Material Science Engineering Ph.D. student at Iowa State University with B.S. and M.S. (Dual Degree) in Physics, with a final year project in Experimental Condensed Matter Physics from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhopal, India. I am currently involved with multilevel physical experiments to understand the effect of different factors such as alloying, grain structure, crystallographic texture, temperature, and strain rate on plastic deformation and damage evolution. Besides research, I enjoy playing video games. I also enjoy listening to the 1960s and 70s Bollywood songs. In 2021, I found out that I really love to fort hike. I love to visit new places, meet new people, have conversations about different cultures and draw similarities to my own culture. My dream is to visit every state and major attraction in the USA.
	Amruta Vaghela amrutav@iastate.edu I completed my Bachelor of Technology in mechanical engineering from the MKSSS’s Cummins College of Engineering for Women, Pune, India. After graduating in 2021, I worked with Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD) for two years where I developed an interest in biomaterials. As a Ph.D student in materials science and engineering, I would like to focus my research in the area of biomaterials where I would like to explore their different mechanical properties at smaller length scales. I am a cinephile and I enjoy writing about films in my free time. I like to write essays and analysis’ on topics and film characters that interest me. I am also an avid theatre lover and like to explore different aspects of the art during my free time.
Undergraduate Students Materials Science and Engineering
	Soren Hellyer shellyer@iastate.edu I am an undergraduate student pursuing a degree in Materials Engineering at Iowa State. I came to Iowa State because of all the research opportunities and the beautiful campus. The materials program at Iowa State was very encouraging because of its helpful staff, great facilities, and plenty of research opportunities. I am working under Dr. Sid Pathak & Manish Kumar on the structures and properties of solders produced in Terrestrial vs. Microgravity environments project. Outside of my studies, I like to play board games. My weekends are often spent watching and playing soccer. I love listening to music and playing trumpet in the Iowa State Symphonic Band.
	Caleb M Ogden cmogden@iastate.edu I am an undergraduate student in the Materials Engineering at Iowa State University. I am currently working with Dr. Sid Pathak’s research group as an undergraduate research assistant studying the properties of lead based and lead-free solder produced terrestrially and in micro-gravity environments. Outside of my studies I enjoy board games, camping, spending time with friends and playing the Cello.
	Joshua Dejohn jdejohn@iastate.edu I am an undergraduate studying Mechanical Engineering at Iowa State University. I am working with Dr. Pathak and Skye Supakul on the Engineering Metal-MAX phase Multilayered Nanolaminates project. Outside of school I like to play basketball, travel and read.
	Joshua Kamp jkamp04@iastate.edu I am an undergraduate student at Iowa State studying Aerospace Engineering. Since high school, I’ve been learning to engineer, and I am ready to take my skills to the field. I am working with Dr. Sid Pathak & Manish Kumar on the structures and properties of solders produced in Terrestrial vs. Microgravity environments project. Outside of class and research, I love to go camping, play games with friends both online and in person, and enjoy all forms of music.
	Noah Madison nmadison@iastate.edu I am an undergraduate student pursuing my dream of becoming an Aerospace Engineering at Iowa State University. I came to Iowa State University because of the great academic and career opportunities for Aerospace Engineers. I am currently working under Dr. Sid Pathak and Ph.D. student Manish Kumar on researching the local structure-property relationships of solders in Terrestrial vs. Microgravity environments. Outside of my studies, I live an active lifestyle. I enjoy exercising, playing sports, and spending time outdoors.